Parkop must go the extra mile

 WE sympathise with the betel nut vendors in the National Capital District and their suppliers in Central and Gulf provinces and support their demand for proper market places to trade their much-sought-after commodity.

And we agree that they should not be denied their right to buy and sell a cash crop that is legitimate and is steeped in culture and tradition.

By the same token, the rule of law must be respected and adhered to by disgruntled betel nut suppliers and vendors.

The revelation by NCD Governor Powes Parkop that he has received a death threat over his decision to impose a total ban on the sale of betel nuts in the nation’s capital is cause for grave concern. Whoever sent that threatening message to the governor’s mobile phone last weekend must be investigated by the police and brought in to face the law. 

It seems like the work of a sick-minded individual or even a group of people who do not represent the interests of the betel nut suppliers from Mekeo, in Central, and Kerema, in Gulf.

The call by Goilala community leader Daniel Simana yesterday for the Mekeo and Kerema people to respect Governor Parkop’s decision makes a lot of sense.

Simana appealed to the disgruntled people to refrain from making threats against Parkop and his family and relatives.

“I appeal to those who are issuing threats to the governor and his families to refrain from any more threats and abide by the law. 

“Beautification of our city and our community is very important; we built this city and we must take care of it. 

“We mandated Powes Par­kop to represent us in the parliament so we have to respect laws that are imposed by him for the betterment of this city and every individual here.”

This is good advice from a community leader who is equally concerned about the outlook of the nation’s capital and his people’s welfare and livelihood in the city.

Undoubtedly, the ban will make life extremely difficult for those people who depend entirely on the sale of betel nuts for a living. 

However, as Simana rightly said, these people should start looking at other ways to make a living and sustain themselves in this cruel city environment.

“Use other resources – vegetable farming for our Central people and the oil and gas opportunities in Gulf. Why not engage yourself rather relying on betel nuts.”

While Parkop is at loggerheads with the disgruntled betel nut traders, residents in the NCD seem quite content with his decision to impose the ban.

Since Parkop and his administration took measures to clean up the capital city, the streets, shopping centres and public places have been devoid of betel nut husks and spittle. 

In fact, there has not been any new betel nut stain in public places such as bus stops, foot paths and even the main roads.

Many new foreign visitors to Port Moresby have often wondered if the blood red stains on the roads were the results of traffic accidents and road deaths. 

It was laughable when they found out that the stains were from betel nut spittle.

Most of these ugly stains are gone but the city roads continue to be a dumping ground for the litterbugs who should be the next lot to be reined in by the governor.

Parkop’s initiative to clean up the capital city and his tough decision is most admirable. 

He has stood up in the face of adversity and did what no other governor before him has done.

Many people believe the governor may have jeopardised his political future by taking a tough stand on betel nut vendors in the NCD, many of whom voted him into office. 

However, there are many others who believe that Parkop has done more good than harm and will retain his seat come the 2017 general election.

We believe that Parkop has done the right thing by imposing the ban and getting rid of betel nut rubbish in the capital city. But he must go the extra mile and ensure that the marketing needs of the suppliers and vendors are fully catered for. 

That will ensure a third term in Parliament, while at the same time ensuring he meets his objectives of a cleaner and healthier capital city.