By Jacob Niru (UPNG Journalism student) EMTV, Port Moresby
Betel nut vendors will resume trade and consumption of betel nut, but with licenses at designated locations in Port Moresby, National Capital District.
The vendors said this gives them (betel nut sellers) solutions to some of the issues that have aroused since the betel nut was banned in NCD, last year.
The reaction came after the governor announced on Friday to issue six month temporary licenses for betel nut sellers.
Although the betel nut ban has made the city clean and provides a more conducive environment, the ordinary people in the informal sector who make their living through the sale of betel nut had been greatly affected.
An increase in the smuggling of betel nut while risking lives, loss of income for families and law and order issues associated with the ban are some issues that have come to light.
The vendors at Waigani market said they have been greatly affected when the ban was imposed.
They asked the NCD governor to set-up a permanent betel nut market separately with other vendors at the market.
The betel nut sellers at Waigani market also appealed to other vendors and the general public to use common sense, and control their ways of chewing, spitting and disposing of rubbish.
The license will only allow people to sell the betel nut at the designated market but not everywhere in the city.
The governor said it gives a window of opportunity but if people fail to take care of the change, he is most likely to impose the ban again.
The law still remains and those who break the law will face the heavy penalties.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=d4DHbbP2bSk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
