NCDC, Road Council to enforce buai ban in capital

 By TONY PALME KIP 

DRIVERS and passengers in Port Moresby have been warned of a K500 spot fine for spitting and throwing betel nut rubbish out of moving vehicles.

This will be part of an operation starting on Aug 1 to be enforced by the National Road Safety Council and the National Capital District Betel nut Enforcement Unit.

The two organisations started an awareness campaign last Friday to inform passengers, drivers and vehicle owners about the new operation.

Road checks will be staged throughout the city by the enforcing officers to issue pamphlets containing the warning messages to passengers, drivers and vehicle owners. 

Through the partnership, the National Road Safety Council and NCDC Betel nut Enforcement Unit will work together to ensure Port Moresby becomes clean, healthy and beautiful and a city that is free of betel nut litter.

The spitting of betelnut from a moving vehicle is an offence under the National Capital District Betel nut Control Law 0f 2013.

Offenders will be taken into custody and locked up if they fail to pay the spot fine immediately.

Deputy city manager Honk Kiap said NCDC expects the cooperation of everyone concerned.

“We are now targeting PMV buses and taxis and will charge offenders accordingly without warning,” Kiap said.

He said there were many challenges, especially to deal with betelnut and thanked the road safety council for pledging their support.

National Road Safety Council executive director Nelson Terema acknowledged NCDC for the initiative to partner with them.

“The city is growing very fast with ever increasing population and as a result, the number of vehicles is increasing.

“Therefore, we will check to make sure vehicles are registered and road worthy.

“Such partnership is the way forward to address issues and with the South Pacific Games coming up next year and the APEC meeting in 2018

“It’s a huge challenge for us to prepare the city in advance.”

He said the road safety council had been operating in isolation for some time but now with the partnership from NCDC, they will work together as custodians of the city.