The Mekeo Local Level Government President Edward Kekele has strongly called for a betelnut market o be established outside of the National Capital District, Port Moresby, following the death of an innocent betelnut trader at Hauabada yesterday morning.
From reports recieved, the betlenut trader from Inauwi village, West Mekeo was severely beaten to death in a lock up police post at Hanuabada by local police reservist from the area.
This has frustrated the 10 ward councilors from Mekeo to support the call made by their LLG President to stop further betelnut sales in Port Moresby markets.
” We cannot allow our people to be mistreated in this manner.”
He urged both the local MP for Kairuku and Govenor for Central to take this matter as a serious consideration to be addressed for the sake for the local betelnut traders from Mekeo.
He said there will be a temporary stop to betelnut trade in Port Moresby.
” My people of Mekeo LLG have contributed immensely by paying taxes to the government indirectly through buying groceries, hardware materials excetra from the betelnut trade”, he said.
He said both the Govenor and local MP Isoaimo must adhere to this call as a matter of urgency to be addressed.
Isoaimo said this matter will be addressed to secure a permanent betelnut trading zone to be established outside of the city limits.
