Plea to relax ban

 GROUP of betel nut retailers and supplies have asked National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop to relax the ban on betel nuts.

The group held a meeting at the Nine-Mile Market outside Port Moresby to come up with suggestions for Parkop on what options to consider.

Spokesmen Ben Gipo said a proper wholesale plan should be constructed so that retailers and supplies plus transport owners would benefit. 

He said the current facility at Ruburogo was inconvenient for them because it was outside Port Moresby and security was not guaranteed.

“A wholesale plan must be properly planned for the affected people whose lives must be valued as they survive on betel nut sales,” he said.

He said there were designated areas for trading before the total ban was effected. 

“Has Governor Parkop consulted the other governors in Gulf and Central before imposing the ban?” he said.

“There has to be a win-win situation and currently there’s none.”

Gulf Governor’s representative Gabriel Topokai said the ban had brought hardship for the people of Gulf who relied on betel nut sales as their only source of income.

Topokai said last year they had a forum at Kerema where alternatives were suggested to Parkop. But he had not responded to them. 

He said Gulf Governor Havila Kavo gave K500,000 to assist NCDC build a facility for the  Gulf and Mekeo people. 

They had suggested the Boroko Market.

He said: “We asked the Governor to consider six depots in the three electorate and then regulate it, get retailers registered, get wholesalers registered, get all the PMVs registered, so that it is controlled and coordinated.

“We are appealing to Parkop to call the two governors and find a solution. He cannot decide on this alone.”

They called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to intervene as they believe it is a national disaster.