Enforcement of betel nut law challenging, says Parkop

By HELEN TARAWA
The law against chewing betel nut in public places is tough but enforcement is a challenge, NCD Governor Powes Parkop says.
He told The National that Parliament could pass laws but enforcement was the weakest link.
“The penalty is very severe,” Parkop said.
“We can pass laws but it all comes back to enforcement and that’s a weakest link in every law in PNG.
“We have adequate laws but our problem is enforcement.
“There is inadequate enforcement, because we don’t have enough policemen and women.
“I don’t agree with betel nut being sold on the streets.
“We had to make a bit of compromise to allow people to earn income and enjoy the betel nut.
“We have allowed betel nut to come back but it has to be regulated and controlled.
“We are designating places for wholesale and retail of betel nuts.
“We are still going through that excise because of limited spaces available for markets in the city.”
He said NCD had more markets in the city than any other province in the country.
Parkop said because of the population, markets were spilling out onto the sides of the streets.
“Definitely, in public places and roads, betel nuts are not allowed but people are still doing it so that’s a challenge on our part for enforcement,” he said.
Parkop said there were two wholesale betel nut markets in Gerehu, one in 8-Mile, one in Saraga, one in Koki.
He said space was being created for betel nut sellers in Kipo Market in East Boroko.
“It’s up to the chewers and sellers,” Parkop said.
“They can make it work for them and for everyone.
“People who are selling betel nuts are adults.
“They should do the right thing and vend at places they are allowed to, and chew responsibility.
“Don’t spit on the road, don’t throw rubbish on the road, that’s not too much to ask but for us in PNG it’s a very costly exercise.
“We will keep on prosecuting because I understand that behaviour takes time to change.
“We keep on doing what we can, it’s up to the people, what sort of city they want, clean, beautiful and nice city or dirty, ugly, full of rubbish.”