BY KHAMA LINCOLN
Gizo Based Isles Media Freelance Reporter
GIZO Town Council has issued a call on the police to continue take action on betel nut vendors who disobey orders by local government to clear the streets of the provincial headquarters to control COVID transmission.
Gizo Town Clerk, Charles Kelly said, he will see to it that police officers deal with disobedient betel nut vendors in Gizo town.
“There is a warning from the Premiers office himself and from the town Council to get people to comply. But when vendors are not complying that needs police attention,” He said.
Mr Kelly said, “because we are all at high risk, especially as we have COVID-19 community transmission, what I will do is that, I will remind the police. I want to call for participation on the ‘team work’ that the Premier has emphasized for everyone, we must all work together.”
“They’re trying to make money, but they have to realize we’re now experiencing community transmission of COVID.
Acting Provincial Police Commander, Inspector Miriki, has maintained that currently Western Solomons government is working on measures pending for endorsement.
He said, every activity the Police is carrying out is according to measures enforced by the provincial government.
“Police is only to implement those measures. We only follow what has been directed to us to do. We removed the tables, but people continue to disobeyed,” He said.
Inspector Miriki also explains that there is a distinction between Gizo and neighboring town of Noro. He pointed out Noro Town has its own onsite operation committee formed by all responsible stakeholders, that looks after the affairs of the industrial town.
He said, that operation committee created and implement their own measures for Noro town.
“Here in our main center, we are waiting for direction from the provincial government. Police will only implement orders from the local government authority.” He pointed out.
In a previous statement by the Premier Hon. Christian Mesepitu, he said a market ordinance is awaiting approval in the upcoming assembly meeting.
“And that is when it will permanently remove every public vendor, the betel nut vendors and those selling foods in the streets,” He said.
The market ordinance is for the whole of western province and when it come into effect, it will also cover buying and selling betel nuts from outboard motor Canoes, at any public area on the shorelines.
