Papua New Guinea's APEC minister has spoken out about a spate of vandalism and graffiti of signage for the international summit in Port Moresby in November.
Port Moresby bus stop August 2018 Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
Some of the vandalism has targetted the new China Aid-built bus stops around the city.
The minister, Justin Tkatchenko, said the person responsible had no respect for himself or the country and would face the full force of the law if caught.
November's APEC leader summit in the capital will the biggest event that PNG has ever hosted and the government is determined to capitalise on it.
To the minister, it was important that Port Moresby maintain a clean and positive image as the summit approached.
"We must take advantage of it for the country's long term benefit, not only for trade and economic benefits we'll get into the future, but also the publicity we'll get during that time in putting PNG on the map," Mr Tkatchenko said.
Accordingly, the National Capital District administration has stepped up its efforts to clean up the city by stationing security in bus stops in the city's CBD.
Papua New Guinea APEC minister Justin Tkatchenko standing infront of APEC House in Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
As well, the administration continues to restrict the public sale of betelnut, PNG's favourite stimulant, which can legally only be sold at authorised places.
However the governor of the capital conceded that in terms of encouraging change in people's habits, the restrictions, and former total ban on the public sale and consumption of betelnut, hadn't been completely successful.
But Powes Parkop pointed out that the city's streets and footpaths were a lot cleaner than a few years ago, due to less red betelnut spit stains
"The city's much better now. We're still chewing betelnut. People are still selling it - some in unauthorised places - but compared to where we were before, it's much much better now, and we're getting better," Mr Parkop said.
The governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District, Powes Parkop. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
"So a lot of our people, their attitudes have changed, they can see the benefit of what we've done," he explained, adding that changing mindsets takes time.
