Liquor ban

Only certain clubs, hotels and restaurants have been permitted to sell alcohol to their guests.

According to Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, the ban will help police monitor hot spots where home brew trade takes place. It will also allow them to crack down on the illegal factories (production spots) of homebrew and to apprehend suspects.

According to Member for Bulolo Sam Basil Jnr, he said there is an increase in incidents that are alcohol-related.

“Alcohol tends to ignite tensions and Bulolo caters for people travelling to Lae from Wau Waria and Menyamya and also from Marawaka (EHP) and Kaintiba (Gulf). We do not want to cause problems, conflicts and disturbance to business along the Bulolo Highway,” said Basil.

Basil Jnr said it is also becoming a norm for offensive weapons such as bush knives, catapults and guns and now wire catapults are carried around openly in public.

Chief Liquor Licensing Commissioner and Madang Provincial Administrator Frank Lau said a copy of the notice has been distributed to liquor shops in town and will also be distributed to the outstations in Ramu, Bogia, and liquor shops along the North and South Coast highways.

Lau has requested the police to assist liquor licensing officers by keeping their eyes peeled on all liquor shops and black markets in the province.

This notice is effective from the Issue of Writs on May 12 to the Return of Writs on May July 31^st.

Provincial Administrator & Chief Liquor Commissioner, Francis Koaba stated that the prime purpose of this liquor sales and consumption restriction is to ensure a peaceful and trouble-free National General Elections in the Central Province villages.

Moreover, Police and PNGDF will be out to perform their normal duties and the Provincial Liquor officials will closely keep surveillance to ensure the liquor restrictions are adhered to and complied with.

Officer in charge, Joan Manalau said the bottle shops in Madang town have been issued notice of the liquor ban.

She said the other shops outside of town have been informed and the police will be out there to make sure they adhere to the notice.

Manalau said there are some shops in Madang that are alcohol distributors and have been exempted to supply only to the hotels upon request. JKT limited, Andersons Foodland and Supreme Investment are the three approved distributors.

He said the liquor ban will start on Thursday, when the Writs are issued to the end of the election period.

PPC Barkie said the alcohol ban during the election in all alcohol selling outlets was the idea of the Government’s call to make this election safe.

He said he supports the idea because many alcohol-related issues had led to many law and order problems. 

PPC Barkie said the provincial licensing board before the decision of the Government had banned the sales of liquor in all outlets but allowed the hotels to sell.

He said with the passing of PNG’s founding father, it is customary that the nation should be in mourning.

“As indigenous Papua New Guineans, we should all know our customary obligations,” he stated.

“People abusing alcohol and causing disturbances will definitely be cause for concern during this period as it will cause insult to others, where trouble will may flare up.

The Bougainville Executive Council made the decision this week, following public outcry from local communities across Bougainville for a total liquor ban during the aftermath of the referendum.

The acting Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Thomas Raivet, issued a circular to all Bougainville Public Servants notifying of this extension.

The Bougainville Police Service has been directed to maintain surveillance on all affected liquor shops including any ‘black market’ outlets across Bougainville.

But some centres however, have decided to close their liquor shops for the festive period.

RH Hypermart is one, going with the decision.

Its Gordon branch will close over the public holiday, as confirmed by staff.

RH at Vision City closes through to Wednesday, December 27, according to the Senior Operations, Peter Lee.

But there will still be other liquor shops operating as the liquor ban was lifted a few years back.

And while this may be good news to many, police warn that no one should take advantage and do as they please.

According to Superintendent Operations, Chris Tamari, the ban was uplifted a few years back and Christmas operations have been ongoing without the ban on liquor.

He said although this may be good news for alcoholics and drinkers around the city, they should not take advantage of this and do as they please.

For NCD alone, operations have started with a recent high visibility of police of men who will be instructed to carry out strict orders for the road blocks and vehicle checks.