Kaupa wants nut vendors to get new licences

ALL betel nuts wholesalers in Port Moresby are required to get new licences at the new Betel Nuts Control Centre at 8-Mile Duran Farm, says Moresby North East MP John Kaupa.
He told The National that the centre was built by National Central District Commission at a cost of about K700,000 to ramp up control on betel nuts coming into the city from Gulf and Central.
The main purpose was to combat betel nut spit “ruining the city’s image”, he said, while clarifying that this was not to make a
profit from the high-demand local nuts.
“As soon as it comes into NCDC, it is our responsibility to make sure it doesn’t damage our city but also make sure it is still able to provide for our people and in a win-win situation.”
“This will control all betel nuts coming into the city where they can be bought from the growers at the control centre, then it will go on certain retail areas approved for selling around the city like 6-Mile, Tokarara and Koki markets.
“The growers from Gulf and Central will sell in a controlled and fair market place and we have been talking with both
provincial governments on this and they are happy with this arrangement. Wholesalers who get permits will then be able to resell at the approved selling places.
“We are not trying to make money but to regulate and
control it for the benefit of our city and people who are saying we are ruining the market are only doing so for their own interests.
“The previous arrangement did not working at all.
“The government is trying to put a legislation next week for the ban of betel nut in public places and we are working on it.
“We have to protect our public places as big money is spent to build it and should not allow it to be damaged or made dirty.”