Church told to promote good habits

 THE Catholic Church must use its influence to encourage healthy habits, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop says.

Parkop was responding to comments by head of the church in Port Moresby Archbishop John Ribat last Friday that buai was an income-earning component for many families. 

Ribat added the ban in Port Moresby was causing a lot of problems and has already cost lives. 

He agreed that the buai ban was keeping the city clean but condemned the excessive force by police or people enforcing the buai ban. But Parkop said the buai ban policy was in place to ensure cleanliness and good hygiene for the people.

“I am inviting the Catholic Church to use their influence to educate our people on healthy habits,” he said.

“He (Ribat) must use his influence to speak about the health of people. 

“Educate the people to practise healthy habits through your influence so that the selling of buai can be conducted. “The buai ban policy did not just happen. It took years. It is a result of people not having respect for the law and just littering everywhere.”