Business as usual for betel nut vendors

By ZACHERY PER
A BETEL NUT market in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, is continuing to trade in spite of restrictions during the state of emergency (SOE) period.
It was business as usual at Suave buai market on the western fringe of Goroka town.
Vendors were selling betel nut at the market with prices still low at K1 to K2 per nut.
A betel nut trader, Peter Kelaga, said the first 14-day lockdown had adversely impacted the vendors, most of whom were settlers, who made their money off betel nut sales to survive.
He said they needed to sell betel nuts to earn money for families and food and other basic expenses.
Kelaga said the extended two-month SOE may have placed restrictions on the sale of betel nut because it would lead to the breaching of health and safety measures such as social distancing and personal hygiene such as washing hands regularly, but the people had no choice.
He called on the government to provide relief for the people who had no option but vending in order to survive.
“I still maintain my call for the Government to provide food for settlers in towns,” Kelaga said.