K1 million betel nut market opens in Port Moresby

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
BETEL NUT has become a commodity in the city which unemployed people, especially from settlements, rely on for income, says Moresby North East MP John Kaupa.
He said during the opening of the new betel nut wholesale market at 8-Mile in Port Moresby to promote cleanliness and economic opportunities for unemployed settlers and growers from Central.
Kaupa said since the National Capital District Commission imposed the betel nut ban to promote cleanliness and hygiene, more people in the business had faced problems with police and other authorities.
Many had lost their lives.
“We decided to designate certain spots in the city to allow people to trade without being abused by police and others,” Kaupa said. “8-Mile is one of them.”
The market had cost NCDC almost K1 million.
“The land is State-owned,” he said. “NCDC has spent close to K1 million in this project.
“We want to make betel nut selling conducive for traders, as some parts of the city have been restricted due to the ban that’s currently in place.
“We want to control and regulate so that this is a win-win situation for everyone for the cleanliness of the city.”
Kairiku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo said his people from Central and buyers had become victims of police.