Resolve chaos over buai at Koki market

 I HAVE observe almost six months now after the announcement by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea to build a buai (betel nut) market at Koki, Between block of stores and the Community Hall not far from the Koki Wanigela entrance.

 Since the start of the construction some months ago, the place is deserted and looks clean and tidy. 

The fence as already gone up and brick structure is already visible. 

Since removing the buai market, vendors are now relocating and conducting their trading at the nearby bus stop and the entrance of the Wanigela community when police chase them on a daily basis. 

The situation at Koki is already causing major problem for the residents.  buai is smuggled through the back of the village by dingy and cart on foot and vehicle early in the morning every day. 

The situation is now slowing movement of vehicle in and out of the village because of overcrowding of people obstructing traffic flow. 

The situation is also affecting our young people through influence they are getting from others and involving in smoking and chewing of buai. 

The permanent buai market is not going to help the trend our young people are getting and only time will tell social and associated issues will appear and may not be control if nothing is done now. 

From what I am seeing now some of this vendor will move into the new market soon to trade buai. 

The daily pursuing of vendors may cause an incident in Koki village  and if police are not careful a similar situation like Hanuabada could happen. 

I therefore call on our MP and governor to help solve this issue before a disaster happens.

Koki Tauna, Via email