NCD Governor Powes Parkop

We need to challenge ourselves to make PNG even better than it is today, says NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

Parkop led the Unity Walk this morning, where participants were reminded to lead the change.

Residents hit the road in high spirits in spite of the wet and dull Port Moresby morning.

Before the walk, Governor Parkop highlighted that we have to respect what has taken us this far.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop wants this commitment from the city dwellers while he, in partnership with fellow MPs, will do their part to make the city great, safe, peaceful, liveable, active and clean for everyone to enjoy a high quality of life, as is the case in other cities overseas.

“It is the small things like these that are impeding our progress. This is the biggest challenge I have as your leader,” Parkop said.

“It is your business now to say no to buai, violence, graffiti and plastic bags.

He said apart from making the environment look untidy, plastic bags are just too harmful.

Parkop’s statement follows the international theme for the World Environment Week, “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

“We are developing a bad habit, bad culture and bad attitude,” said the Governor.

“We are making money more important than the natural environment.”
Parkop said 18 months have been given to plastic firms but after that, he urged Minister Pundari to ‘just ban it’. 

“No more excuses,” said the Governor.

Although times have changed, NCD Governor Powes Parkop is ensuring everyone can watch the State of Origin by providing live and free sites in and around the “can do” city of Port Moresby.

The three-game series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons starts on Wednesday, June 6, in Melbourne.

Game 2 is on Sunday, June 24, in Sydney and the third and final game is on Wednesday, July 11, in Brisbane.

The case, which was set for trial today, was further adjourned to Wednesday to allow the Electoral Commission to file the necessary documents.

Lawyer representing the Electoral Commission told Court that they are having trouble obtaining the documents requested by the petitioners.

The documents are locked up in a container.

They consist of the 364 presiding officers’ journals, list of polling schedules, forms 66 A and B showing the 34th and 35th elimination and the list of presiding officers.

Funded by the NCDC with a cost of K1.4 million, the gymnasium centre will house up to 300 people and will be managed through the Active City Program.

Officiating the ground breaking, Minister for APEC and member for Moresby South, Justin Tkatchenko, said with the help and financial support of NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Moresby South has seen a number of positive developments and will continue to do so in the long run.

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.

He made the remarks during the hand over take ceremony of the City Management yesterday (March 5).

It was a packed ceremony where NCDC staff came to witness the closing of a chapter in the management of City Hall and the start of a new one.

Governor Parkop commended Leslie Alu for his role in changing the face of NCD.

“Sadly because of his health, he had to make this hard decision. But it is the right decision,” said Parkop.

 Leslie Alu is closing an 11-year tenure, the longest ever by a City Manager.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop highlighted this plan in a press conference yesterday. 

He said the process starts with introducing a clear traffic in the area.

This includes introducing one-way streets which would ease traffic congestion and allow for more pedestrians to walk the streets.

Reke, Turamu and Nita streets will become one-way streets, going from the west to the east.

Angau Drive will be opened again and made into a two-way street. Parkop says this will be the only two-way street in the area.

The ban comes in effect within the next few days, starting at the Boroko centre.

This decision is in line with the efforts to create a safe, healthy and clean city and uplift its image in terms of cleanliness and hygiene.

Following the ban review after the election, NCD has concluded that a total ban on betelnut is not the way forward for all stakeholders in the city, including both chewers and vendors.

The announcement made today is that the partial ban will be imposed only in public places and around shopping malls and commercial areas.