Buai Ban

This follows Justice Allan David’s ruling on the disputed facts which will be deliberated on by the full court.

The betelnut control law of 2013 was created under the NCDC Act to regulate the selling of betelnut in the nation’s capital, in its bid to change the attitude of city residents.

However, a law that was meant for NCDC has gone beyond the borders of NCDC, affecting the people of Central Province, in particular, the Mekeo-Kuni LLG people of Kairuku, who are large-scale growers of betelnut.

His comments came in light of a recent incident that reportedly involved tear gas affecting children at a school near a police operation against buai vendors.

Governor Parkop said: “For starters, this is not a war on betelnut,” referring to a headline used by one of the dailies.

“It is meant to be a controlled exercise, starting in Boroko to keep our suburbs clean and healthy. We have not even started at Hohola, where the regrettable incident took place.”

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop explained that whilst the buai ban has been lifted in terms of bringing betel nut into the city, however laws that are part of the betel nut control laws have not been lifted.

“This is something the general public within the city has to be clear about.”

Parkop spelt out that some of the betel nut control laws like no trading in public places and certain areas of the city.

This is to see if residents appreciate the city.

Governor for NCD, Powes Parkop, in a recent post on his social media page, said this is to show if they really care and value the city and not just here to make money.

“I need the vendors and chewers to show they have and are changing. I am not a policeman to chase you all around and compel you all to change! Have some respect and show responsibility.”

He said six months from September, the ban will be put back in place.

Maxtone said the buai ban had affected many city residents who rely on the nut as a source of income.

He noted the rubbish caused by the nut and said he will reintroduce the city ranger concept to deal with spitters.

“There will be no buai ban, but we will clean up the city, provide proper facilities where they can chew buai, spit it in plastic bags and we will institute heavy fines for people who spit and throw rubbish,” he said.

An article published on Friday, 5^th May, is incorrect.

In a statement released by the office of the NCD Governor, it was announced that since the opening of Koki market last year, the ban would only be partially lifted.

“We also have not allowed betelnut to be sold everywhere in the city as reported by the local daily.”

The statement also mentioned that the revised strategy is to only allow regulated sale on a wholesale and retail basis that is to be sold at approved locations in the city.

Central police commander Laimo Asi suggests that one area that the leaders in the province must support is the introduction of control measures for the buai trade.

Asi says he is suggesting for the provincial government to support his personnel and impose a “partial” buai ban.

The PPC says while he would ideally like to see the trade shut down realistically, this will not be the case as many depend on the thriving trade to make ends meet.

And he's warned people to refrain from bringing the mustard stick into the capital city.

This call follows new reports of mustard  bags being confiscated by NCD officials last week.

Komboi says the mustard is an integral part of the buai chewing process and as such it will not be tolerated.

PNG Loop spoke with Michael Mon, a duty officer at the NCD Tarpot area who said this morning alone under the cover of rain, a car tried to smuggle ten bags of mustard into the city but was intercepted by NCD officers at the Erima area.

Buai or betelnut is a narcotic and when it is chewed with “Daka” or mustard mixed with “kambang” or lime which is burnt from coral or sea or water shells, it puts the chewer on a “high”.

NCD BuaI Ban Director Paul Komboi made the announcement earlier this week when speaking to PNG Loop about steps taken with the issue of passengers smuggling in buai and daka into the capital city.

Komboi says that the Buai Ban in the city has seen many vendors and wholesalers of the  substance devise other ways and means to transport in the illegal contraband.

Kokoka image damaged – Association boss

http://www.looppng.com/content/kokoka-image-damaged-%E2%80%93-association-boss

The president of newly formed Kokoda Tour Operators Association Frank Taylor says the Kokoda incident portrayed by two expatriate tourists will damage its image as a tourist attraction.

Airlines urged to comply with Betelnut Ban