Get it right, Buai Chewer

(Mustard, Betel Nut, and Lime)

This post in retaliation to an article posted in the Post Courier's Viewpoint Section entitled "Get right NCDC with your buai ban" by Buai Chewer:

"...Your supporters can then go around and collect the rubbish in their trucks twice a day and while doing so the public is educated on how to dispose of their rubbish properly instead of going around in convoys harassing people".
Read the full article here.

I agree with Buai Chewer that more bins need to be located in smart spots - locations where betel nut chewers can easily dispose of the betel nut shell itself instead of throwing it on the ground and littering public areas. One thing I've noticed (and I'm sure every other Moresby-ean) is the spilling of 'red blood' on our streets and walkways. This 'red blood' itself isn't actually 'human blood' but the product of a chemical reaction between the lime, mustard and saliva in the mouth. If not swallowed, a lot of betel nut chewers usually spit this out of their mouths onto our walkways and from their moving vehicles onto our roads. If the purpose of the betel nut ban is to promote cleanliness and hygiene in Port Moresby, in order to also prevent betel nut chewers from ruining our pathways and especially our roads, (1) all buai chewers on our PMVs (Public Motor Vehicles) should be refused entry on all our PMVs if they are chewing betel nut. (2) NCDC should also enforce all betel nut chewers to carry a plastic bottle (for example only) to spit into instead of smearing betel nut spittle publicly.

"Buai selling (betel nut selling) is their lifeline and as soon as they are deprived of their income..." - Buai Chewer

Growers, PMV operators and village people will not be affected by the betel nut ban - they can still grow, distribute and supply betel nut vendors! The current betel nut ban only restricts WHERE betel nut vendors can sell betel nut. They still can sell betel nut - just not on public property. This is legally enforceable because first of all, betel nut sellers who sell betel nut in public places do not pay the people that the NCDC contracts to clean up the streets. By restricting betel nut vendors to sell betel nut only on private property reduces the costs that the NCDC has to cough up paying street cleaners and also gives the responsibility of cleaning entirely up to the betel nut vendor. Which is very fair. Think of it as a form of 'corporate responsibility' - only on a smaller business scale. In addition, the fact that NCD govenror, Mr. Powes Parkop has established a taskforce of enforcement officers - they aren't mobilised to 'harass' people as Buai Chewer suggests. Yes, they may be intimidating but this is not unlawful harassment. These betel nut sellers know it is illegal to sell betel nut in public places.

By banning the sale of betel nut in public places - there is only a slight change (as opposed to complete difficulty) in terms of moving and purchasing betel nut, I've made a few suggestions to make purchasing betel nut, more 'efficient' for betel nut lovers:

• know your 'suppliers' and their location. Liase with them. Get their mobile numbers if you're that desperate. If you can't go to them, let them come to you! Most importantly, know where they live so you can go to their house and buy it. This all sounds very hilarious but I can't figure out anything more practical. It shouldn't prove too difficult as there is a high probability that there is at least one betel nut vendor who alread resides on your street/has a betel nut stall on their property.


• Buy in BULK. Simply, less trips and frustration in finding and locating your supplier.
  

Buai Chewer, I suggest you start to not only stop thinking selfishly, but start acting responsibly. If you haven't noticed, the Health Department, other NGOs as well as the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) have spent millions to educate citizens on how to dispose of their rubbish properly in paid TV, radio and print media. The argument that spending K80,000 so that "the public is educated on how to dispose of their rubbish properly" is a reckless argument. Obviously, lazy and ignorant people have failed to comprehend one-line advocacy campaigns such as "Please Help Keep Port Moresby Clean". It's time to toughen up.

Yes Buai Chewer, betel nut is here to stay, but please be smart and responsible.
Enough is Enough.

Setting the benchmark: Powes Parkop

During his election campaign for the Moresby Regional seat, Powes Parkop was quoted as saying:

"I don't have millions of kina to give you but I have millions of ideas to share..."

Powes Parkop's swearing into office is a strong indication of the people's will and desire for a new change of leadership style as it has been publicly acknowledged that NCDC, as with most other public offices, has been the milking cow for too long - a haven for those tempted to make a quick buck and in the process, steal monies from the public purse. When I found out that a human rights lawyer had won the Moresby Regional seat and was the governor-elect for the National Capital District, I had felt an overwhelming sense of reassurance that there are truly inspirational Papua New Guineans, who use virtue and power not for the sole purposes of self-interest, status or wealth but who do have a passion to improve the lives of the marginalised and underpriveleged. Studying in the same field of profession as Mr.Parkop, a man I had never heard of or met, I now look up to this man as an inspirational role model for young Papua New Guinean's like myself, to actively play a role in the development of their country.

Last Friday's issue of The National Newspaper which included an article by Harlyne Joku entitled "Parkop suspends four senior execs" demonstrates the type of virtue and honesty that is reflected in this man's leadership.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop
yesterday suspended and charged four senior managers for alleged abuse, funds
misuse and fraud.The alleged anomalies against the city government were
committed between January and August this year, Mr Parkop said.The governor said
he would terminate the services of the manager for social services for failing
in his job.In a statement yesterday, Mr Parkop said prior to his swearing-in and
assumption of office last Aug 21, he had requested among other things the
commission’s financial report for the said period.“It had become obvious to me
that there was massive abuse of the commission’s during that period,” Mr Parkop
said.He further said the financial status and dealings of the commission had not
been secret and that he was advised by many people to terminate all his
managers.But Mr Parkop said that he had refused to do so to give them
opportunity to explain the figures in the financial statement.“This was to
ensure that whatever decision I make, it was directed at arresting the
problem
instead of undertaking a massive termination and replacement which
may not solve the problem of abuse and misuse of funds in the first place,” he
added.

Read the rest of the article here.

A few months ago, Kevin Pamba in his article "Parkos victory is a welcome benchmark" stated that "only time will tell how Mr. Parkop will reciprocate the overwhelming trust bestowed on him." I have a firm belief that the act of him suspending four senior managers for alleged abuse, funds misuse and fraud is a great cause for emulation. And for once, I am briefly persuaded and enlightened to observe that a segment of Papua New Guinean voters are not influenced by bribery, false promises, gifts or handouts, but have once voted with their conscience.