Laws will be passed to regulate betelnut vending in the city.
This stern warning comes from NCD Governor Powes Parkop, with the support of Moresby North-East Member John Kaupa.
Kaupa is taking a lead on this in his electorate.
A step towards this is having a stakeholders meeting with everyone involved in betelnut vending.
“In our discussion, we’ll be having a meeting to brainstorm, so nobody feels left out,” he said.
He acknowledged that putting a total ban on betelnut would be difficult because of its cultural significance.
Kaupa added that it was the chewers’ attitude on spittle and litter that was the problem.
“So at least we have a control mechanism in place, and everybody is happy,” he said.
The idea is to establish one wholesale area, possibly at Eight-Mile, and distribution centres at selected areas in the city.
“Just to make sure that this place is convenient in the long-term for development of the city,” Kaupa stated.
Governor Parkop said a proposal for the wholesale site has been submitted to his office. This will be announced in due time.
In the meantime, the partial betelnut ban commences at the Boroko area first, and will slowly be rolled out to other public areas in Port Moresby.
(NCD Governor Powes Parkop, right, with Moresby North-East Member John Kaupa)