Capital plans to beef up security

 NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop plans to beef up security at checkpoints and throughout the city to further clean the capital of betel nuts.
A hundred-and-fifty rangers will be based in the city to begin stricter implementation of the betel nut ban.
City rangers have come under fire for alleged harassment and mistreatment of villagers at the Laloki check-point from Goilala MP Daniel Mona and his Kairuku-Hiri counterpart Peter Isoaimo.
Enforcement Unit coordinator Max Koi said operation plans were intact and ready to be implemented from Monday.
“Apart from the 150 city rangers who will be patrolling the streets of Port Moresby, 50 will be stationed at the Laloki checkpoint with police personnel,” Koi said.
“Central province people must take heed of the betel nut ban.
“Smuggling of betel nuts in bags of banana, sago, inside coconuts and animal carcasses would be found out.
“There is a betel nut ban in the city and everyone must respect the laws of the country.”
Koi said reservists at the checkpoint at Laloki were not checking vehicles and passengers in public motor vehicles properly, so there has been an increase of the sales of betel nuts on the streets.
“Countless warnings have been issued to vendors, chewers and owners of betel nut plantations, city rangers will ensure that the ban is fully enforced,” he said.
“As of next week, there will be no betel nuts in the city, anyone wanting to chew are welcome to come to Laloki as it is safe with the presence of police in the area,” Koi said.