by Lorraine Genia – EM TV, Port Moresby
While the majority of those support cause for Parkop’s ‘Buai Free City’, the people of Iokeva Village in the Gulf Province say this is an unethical practice on the villagers of the Gulf Province who rely on the sale of betel nut to earn a living.
Spokesperson and buai seller from Iokeva village, Suve Ahova, said it is unfair that the people of the Gulf Province have to travel nearly two days just to establish a small income through the sales of betel nut to help sustain and support their families and community to an extent.
“Depending on the weather, we are out at sea for two, sometimes three days, and the quality of the betel nut deteriorates which decreases the sale price,” said Suve.
With impromptu plans to better their sales of betel nut in the future, in Daru and other outlets of the country, the people of Iokeva village are seeking better governance and support from their provincial government.
