(Report by Police Media Officer Andrew Philip.)
Police in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province, have removed a major illegal wholesale and retail betel nut market at Suara next to the Mount Hagen main market as part of its major clean up exercise.
Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent John Sagom said the clean-up was to maintain cleanliness within the city and to prevent petty crimes. He sounded a warning to city residents that police would not tolerate any illegal markets within the city.
He said police have issued warnings numerous times but people are deliberately being ignorant and disrespecting the city laws. He said police are now going to remove illegal markets within the city to ensure betel nuts are only sold at the designated markets.
The PPC said selling betel nuts illegally at the unauthorised markets and locations contribute to lawlessness in the city. The vendors create a “safe haven” for criminals and criminal activities, create litter and cause unnecessary traffic congestion.
Mr Sagom said Mount Hagen is the third city in the country and everyone in the city should be responsible for their rubbish and should learn to keep the city clean for business activities.
“I know buai selling is a business, but those people selling betel nuts must use the designated buai markets at Okapana, outside of the Highlands highway, top town, at Keltiga, and Kamnavur at Baiyer road.
“I appeal to all the Western Highlanders and other city residents to cooperate with the police and the City Commission to keep our city clean. People must respect the efforts of police officers and the City Commission in containing lawlessness in the city and keeping it clean.
“Police will not hesitate to come down hard on anyone who sees fit to break any city laws. We will use all reasonable force under the law to arrest and prosecute anyone found breaking the laws,” Mr Sagom said.
Illegal Buai market removed by police officers in Mt Hagen