Buai saga in its second-last phase

Caption:   Governor Parkop

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 9, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NATIONAL Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop reiterated the commission’s stance and plans for the future of betel-nut in the nation’s capital- at an update conference held last week, at city hall.

“We have a short, medium, and long term plan for betelnut in the city.”

“The first being the rangers, who were released into the streets to curb the sale and consumption of betelnut, and the final long term plan will be put in place one we have put in the proper mechanisms in place.”

Parkop said that when the nut returns to the capital city- it will be regulated and licenced to control it sale.

“The growers from the Central Province and Gulf should not be concerned about the ban- their major concern is whether they will sell their produce or not.”

“With the long term plan that we are finalising, growers will have their betelnuts bought off at the Ruburogo Market and whatever happens after that should not be their concern.

The governor dispelled talk of the commission slackening its efforts to carry out the total ban, which began early in the year.

“There has been some talk of people getting edgy, saying that maybe we have lost the plot, but let me say that we have not changed the plan and it is still on course,” he said.

“Yes we have had management issues but we are working it through and have not run out of steam yet.”

“It is a new thing so there will of course be teething problems like people still smuggling betelnut into the city.”

Listing the assistance of police as a major issue in enforcement with their manpower numbers limited, he was however optimistic with operations conducted by police last week seeing major raids at betelnut hot spots in the city.

He added that as long as he was the governor of the city province, he would not allow the city to go back to its filthy days.

“I want to say to the smugglers- it is a risky business they are venturing into, and some have unfortunately died as a result.”

“While we sympathise with them- they must readjust that the ban is here to stay.”

“Though it may not be possible to close the whole city, we are trying to deprive them of easy access, which causes them to make a loss.”

“The markets at Ruburogo and Laloki will remain, and that is where they should be trading.”

Those present at the conference included the City Manager Leslie Alu, Deputy City Manager Honk Kiap, and NCD Superintendent of Police Operation Perou N’Dranou who reaffirmed his command’s cooperation in enforcing the ban.