Regulate, educate to change attitudes

 SINCE the idea of the betel nut ban in Port Moresby floated around in the mainstream and social media, I never made an attempt to comment on the proposal. 

For whatever reason, the idea was proposed and it seems our leaders have lost the plot to run this beautiful country. 

It may seem  to be the best way to control the attitude of the people, but it shows the lack of leadership to come up with smart and better ideas to control the pollution in the city in relation to the trading and consumption of the dear nut, the betel nut. 

Over the years, betel nuts have remained the best source of income for poor people who would otherwise have no other means to earn an income. 

It has sustained the lives of many around the country, people who the government have been unable to cater for. 

It has  significant cultural meaning in both traditional and contemporary societies. 

Banning it should be the last option, not the first. 

It may seem right, but what opportunities are there for people to earn an income to meet the high cost of living in the capital? 

Attitude may be a problem, but human beings are smart creatures. 

They always use common sense when it is required. 

They know what is wrong or right for them and they learn to adapt to changes. 

There are no litter bins or rubbish drums provided, and yet the city commission wants people to dispose their rubbish. 

If there were litter bins and drums provided, if there was  enough awareness carried out, and if laws were drafted and strictly enforced to make people responsible for their actions, it should change the attitude of the people over time. 

They would know where to sell the nuts, where to consume them and how to dispose the rubbish created. 

Banning a nut that supports the livelihood of many less fortunate people is not the right decision for any leader as it will lead to other social problems. 

This will increase illegal black-market and criminal activities as many unemployed youths today survive by trading this nut. 

Schoolchildren could be forced into prostitution as this is the only means their parents earn money to support them in their daily needs and education.  

There may be other social impacts as well, such as drug abuse, illegal gambling, teenage pregnancy, child labour, etc.

Here we are trying to ban something that supports the livelihood of many poor people, but what about the corruption and the white-collar criminals who steal billions of public funds every year? 

The monies stolen from the people’s purse could be used to create more job opportunities.

It could be used to involve these betel nut sellers in business opportunities in the informal sector.

Is the Government trying to further punish the people by allowing white-collar criminals to steal from them and forcing them to live the way they are with betel nuts? 

First things must come first and there are no easy, quick fixes; stop the theft and daylight robbery of public funds so that more money is available to improve the living standards of the people. 

When people have other means to earn an income, there will be a decrease in the trade of betel nuts and all its littering problems. 

Regulate the betel nut trade rather than ban it.

Provide more litter bins and rubbish drums so that people become responsible for their own actions. 

People are not as stubborn as we think they are.

Lucas Kiap

PNG Anti-Corruption Movement for Change (PNGACMC)