Tuesday, October 8, 2013

PASTOR IN MT HAGEN SUPPORTS BETEL NUT BAN


By ELIAS LARI (The National, Oct 8, 2013)
A PENTECOSTAL church pastor in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, is supporting National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop’s ban on the sale of betel nut in Port Moresby.

Pastor Paul Kerowa (pictured) said Parkop’s initiative would reduce health issues and educate people on how to properly dispose of rubbish.
Kerowa said red stains and rubbish from betelnut in public places looked filthy and offensive.
He said walls of buildings and shops were stained by betel nut chewers.
He said Mt Hagen, the country’s third largest city, should adopt the same legislation.

“I appeal to the Western Highlands provincial government and the city council to come up with such laws so that the city can look clean.”
Kerowa said he understood that it was a means of income for many people but those who chewed and sold betel nut must take responsibility of rubbish and stains.
“There must be some check points leading into the cities. People who want to chew and trade betel nut should be given a location some kilometres away from the main shopping centers and cities or towns,” he said.
“I do not know what tourists and visitors feel when seeing such rubbish and betel nut spittle everywhere.
“It is business but what we are talking is rubbish and spittle which looks very bad.”

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