Liquor licenses suspended for ban

Caption: Liquor license Committee member Janet Sape.

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

BOTTLE shops in residential areas and settlements will have their liquor licenses temporarily suspended as of Fridays in light of the festive season and also in relation to the recent situation between police and army over the weekend.

The ban as of Friday was decided upon by the NCDC Liquor Licensing Committee, with committee member and Commissioner on the NCD board, Janet Sape, adding that the period of the ban will be for an indefinite period.

It also follows the successful implementation of smaller bans within settlements and suburbs in the capital that have resulted in positive responses from the communities involved.

“I am part of the liquor likening committee of NCD, and we have made a position in our last board meeting last week- after suspending liquor licenses and having liquor bans in 8 Mile, 9 Mile, and Morata- people have responded very positively,” Sape said.

“They have said that they have peaceful nights, and they are at peace to walk around freely and there is overwhelming support right across the city.”

“They have called and brought demands that liquor be banned, especially bottle shops in settlement areas.”

She added that drastic measure will now be taken, which the Police Metropolitan Superintendent of the city Andy Bawa is a part of the committee.

“We have suspended alcohol liquor trading by bottle shops- with some instances where people have been actually photocopying licenses and selling illegal black market beer as well,” she said.

“All these incidents that have occurred recently are caused by alcohol, and Papua New Guineans don’t know how to drink and control themselves with alcohol.”

“The public is informed that they have until Friday to stop trading liquor with their licenses suspended.”

“If they want to drink they must go to a hotel, a tavern, a restaurant to drink and go to sleep in their homes.”

She added that wholesalers are not allows to sell to the traders who have been buying from them to resell.

“If they are caught their licenses will be suspended- we are taking drastic measures to make this city safe for our people to commute in.”

“There will be public notices put up, and that is the decision that has been made for the wellbeing of our people.”

“Even young kids are going to bottle shops and buying alcohol like soft drinks, so be warned that the police will come around should people continue to sell.