The Honiara City Council (HCC) first-ever Betelnut Nature Park at Gegema along Tuvaruhu/Marble Street in Central Honiara is now officially open for Betelnut vending.
The official opening was on Saturday the 9th of December 2023.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, the Deputy Mayor and the Chairman of the Law Enforcement Division Cr. Robert Oge said, this is the space Honiara City allocates for betelnut vending.
Deputy Mayor Robert Oge delivered his remark during the opening ceremony on Saturday 9th December 2023.
“As we all know betelnut existed long before Honiara City Council was established, so this prompted eagerness to build this betelnut market amidst all the challenges HCC is facing.”
He said these challenges are not that easy to handle but Honiara City will try its best to secure spaces from the east and western part of the city to accommodate all betelnut vendors.
“Our current leaders are trying their best to find any possibility to house betelnut vendors as it is believed to be part of our culture as well as little earnings for people,” the Acting Mayor expressed.
He highlighted that we lived in a city, not a township, so we need to understand that a city has its laws/ordinances that all good law-abiding citizens of this country must adhere to.
“Let us handle all our challenges together with the responsible authorities so that we smoothly execute our plans,” the Acting Mayor explained.
Councillor (Cr) for Mataniko Ward Cr. Clement Terewauri and as well the Chairman for Education Division thanked community leaders, youths, women, and children who have witnessed and agreed to have this establishment.
“I believe such establishment will benefit the communities here at Mataniko Ward,” Cr. Terewauri said.
He explained that he was so excited that his ward/area had such an economical infrastructure.
“Please betelnut vendors you all are encouraged and advised to do your betelnut selling only at the Gegema betelnut market,” said Cr. Terewauri.
He called on betelnut vendors not to sell betelnut along the streets in the city or else they will be penalized and charged.
“Now that the Gegema betelnut market is open, all betelnut vendors should move there for betelnut vending,” he said.
Cr. Clement Terewauri urged all Betelnut vendors to take heed and abide by the Honiara City Council Betelnut Free Zone Ordinance.
Meanwhile, a betelnut vendor Mrs. Everlyn Foufaka also expressed her gratitude and honor towards the current Honiara City Council leaders and the national government leaders for recognizing lower-level people by looking at possibilities to accommodate betelnut vendors.
“I am so happy now to do my betelnut selling here at the Gegema Betelnut Nature Park with no fear of police and law enforcement officers,” she expressed.
Councillor Clement Terewauri delivered his remark during the opening ceremony.
An inside view of the Gegema Betelnut Nature Park below.
