By MATTHEW VARI
TEMPORARY licenses are to be awarded to interested seller of the much controversial betelnut ban to interested applicants following the success to the state of cleanliness to the city.
The new controlling measures will see the informal nature of the sale of betelnut to be moved into the formal sector of business.
Speaking to the media last at a conference last week, NCD Governor Powes Parkop stated that the laws would still be in place in terms of chewing in public places and spitting.”
“We have not lifted that, it is only the sale that we have allowed temporary licenses and we will monitor this up to march,” Mr Parkop said.
“We have a six month period to trial the temporary license- the burden now shifts back to our people.”
“I am giving them a window of opportunity that they should take advantage of to help us achieve a win-win.”
He said that specified areas would be set up for the sale of not only betelnut but to look at SME formal sector to have selling of products also included.
The also commended the response from the general public in being mindful of the law and not chewing to the past years.
“I want to commend everyone, even though we are in the transition stage where it looks like whether there is still a ban or whether we have lifted it, but overall our people are respecting the outcome that we want and that is to not trade in public and spit, and throw the buai (betelnut) skin everywhere like before,” the governor said.
“I do not have to remind us how the city use to look like before the ban, it was only a short while ago- so we are doing well and we have gone into temporary licensing.”
“Our partner Askopina is supposed to manage those people with licenses, our community social services are the ones processing the licenses and issuing them.”
“The license will be specific to a particular location and is not a general thing where because you have the license you think you can trade anywhere in the city, especially bus stops.”
He added that by March if the license system was seen as a positive approach he would maintain it, however added that responsibility would have to come on the part of seller and chewers to keep it in place.
“By March and if we think the people have not improved- I am happy to impose the ban again,” Parkop pointed out.
“People can vote me out in 2017, whether or not they vote for me or not I have not once thought about that- I am however determined to ensure that our people and city must change- if it costs me my office so be it.”
“I am ready to go out, but leave a better legacy, if they think I am having two minds with the elections looming they must think again because that will not happen.”
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