Selling buai not a crime, but livelihood bishop says

 SELLING betel nuts should not be a criminal offence in Papua New Guinea as it is a way of making money, the Archbishop of Catholic Church in Port Moresby John Ribat said yesterday.

Speaking at a media briefing, he presented the church’s view on death penalty and betel nut ban in Port Moresby.

“The Catholic Church sees the benefit of buai as an income-earning component for our families throughout the country and in Port Moresby,” Ribat said.

“The ban in the capital city is causing a lot of problems and has cost some lives,” he said, referring two deaths in Hanuabada when villages clash with police.

“We agree that buai causes a lot of littering, makes the place look ugly and is an avenue for communicable diseases.”

But Ribat said other provinces in the country were dealing with the problem by controlling the chewing and selling of the nuts, so why does not NCD do the same.

“Other provinces have places for people to chew and sell and there is control, they do not face what Port Moresby is going through.

“The excessive force used by police or people enforcing this is intolerable and these people must be careful in their approach to offenders. The policing must be in a way as fitting to promote law, life and discipline.

“I am calling on NCD to come out clear and explain if it is saying buai ban or buai control and chewing. If you are saying buai ban then it is a call to stop to all forms of buai trade; buying, chewing, selling and transporting.

“If you are saying that people can buy and sell in certain locations and buai trade can continue, then say so.

“Currently, the laws are not clear on buai trade in the city and the enforcers as well as the traders are confused.

“We respect the governor and NCD for keeping the city clean and saying no because it’s the gateway to our nation, but the laws must be clear and people must obey and promote it,” Ribat said.