There will be no more selling, buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut at the Boroko Central Business District (CBD) in Port Moresby and those caught doing it will receive sever penalties from the authority. With NCDC's 2030 Vision for a Clean, Safe, Healthy, and Planned City, Boroko CBD area has been now declared as a betel nut free zone as of Monday 26th June. The betel nut free zone equally applies to both private and public transport like Taxis and PMVs. NCD Governor Powes Parkop said its enforcement takes immediate effect and the selling, buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut are now absolutely prohibited at the Boroko CBD. He is calling on the business houses and city residents to join the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) realize its safe, clean, healthy and planned city goals. Whilst acknowledging that betel nut provides alternative revenues for the people, Governor Parkop described betel nut as a menace to the health, hygiene and cleanliness of the city. He further stated that betel nut is also a menace to the image of the city and entire country. Penalties prescribed by NCD BETEL NUT CONTROL LAW 2020: • Trading/selling of betel nut in any form at public places attracts a penalty of K200. • Buying, chewing, spitting and littering of betel nut in public places attracts a spot fine of K50 each. • Transportation of betel nut without permit or in excess of allowable limit or in breach of permit terms and conditions attract a spot fine of K1, 000. • Allowing an aircraft or ship to transport betel nut into the city in excess of allowable limit or in breach of permit terms and conditions attract a spot fine of K5,000; and, • Allowing property, commercial premises or public areas close to premise for storage, sales or chewing of betel nut attract a spot fine of K5, 000. City Manager, Ravu Frank said failure to pay the spot fines will lead to those not in compliance engaging in community works for 2 to 6 hours. Mr. Ravu said those not in compliance would also be prosecuted and tried at the Boroko District Court and if found guilty, they will be imprisoned. He added that 50 NCDC reserve police would be foot patrolling the area on 9-hour shift with spot fines. “The betel nut free zone concept will be replicated in other CBD areas after monitoring the success in the Boroko CBD area,” he said. Assuring Governor Parkop and NCDC Management, Metropolitan Superintendent Chief Inspector Silva Sika said his men would be deployed full time at the CBD helping NCDC reservists enforce the spot fines and penalties. He said that betel nut is associated with the bad habit of the people chewing it, not the nut itself. Sika calls on the city residents to change their bad attitude of chewing betel nut and bringing the city to its former glory.