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The National, Wednesday 22nd May 2013
OKAY, so the prime minister says Papua New Guinea is now better poised to tackle its developmental challenges after almost 40 years of learning. He says we cannot blame anyone for all those mishaps that our country has experienced over the years because we have been learning as we had no experience in running the Government through the Westminster system. What do you say?
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CAN someone in the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee give us statistics to back up programme coordinators’ claim of babies being sold for K50? And we need data to show how bad the situation is.
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THE National Capital District Commission should be given the power to impose fines on those caught chewing betel nuts in public. Yes, we agree with the ban but a buai seller will not be selling in front of shops and offices if there are no chewers – no demand, no supply.
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THE issue which must be raised is who will enforce this law. City Hall must do away with the so-called city rangers as they have neither the ethics, techniques nor attitude to handle such a task.
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BEATING up betel nut vendors and then throwing buai and other items on the street for the people to scramble and fight over them is despicable. This is not the way to get the message of cleanliness across. The rangers then walk away, smiling and laughing obviously feeling good to see the people fight over scraps. It is a shame to also see police reservists involved as well.
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THAT is not the way to make an impact. The sellers will come back and continue their business. If the rangers were to follow the law by taking the vendors away to be charged, then we are sure the public will support their effort.
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WONDER if the police, especially in Port Moresby, will ever reintroduce foot patrols. The people need to see and feel the police’s presence on the street and in our communities. Imagine how many potential crimes could be prevented by having officers conducting routine foot and car patrols instead of becoming security officers for certain big shots or reacting to a crime scene.
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TASK Force Sweep team chairman Sam Koim is right to say if cases were prosecuted efficiently and effectively, those who have been charged would have been sentenced within months after being arrested.
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BARGAINING skills is what regular taxi users in Port Moresby must possess. Read more about it in the Weekender on Friday.