Mt Hagen shops owners warned not to allow street selling

 HAGEN police are targeting shops owners in the city after attempts in the past to stop street sales were unsuccessful.

Western Highlands provincial police commander Chief Superintendent Martin Lakari said shop owners allowing youths to sell their goods in front or at the back would be fined.

Lakari said the owners of the shops would be asked to pay fines to the city authority for breaching the City Authority Act.

He said if the owners refused to pay the fine, the police and City Authority would close the shops until they paid up. “My warning to the shop owners is do not entertain street vendors and do not allow your goods to be sold on the street and in front of your shops,” he said.

Lakari urged private security firms engaged by shop owners to look after their properties and chase away street vendors in front of the shops.

He said police were now enforcing rules and regulations to keep the city clean and stop petty crimes on the streets.

He said the city was filthy with rubbish everywhere and portrays a bad image to  visitors.