Action needed on Jiwaka’s alcohol issue

THE alcohol problem in Jiwaka is big by comparison and police were being blamed for being ineffective.
But the fundamental problem in the last 10 years was that the province never had a liquor licensing Act to regulate the industry nor to this day is there an existing liquor licensing board.
Many will ask as to how the liquor licensing Act relates to the functioning of the liquor licensing board and further on how police can be drawn into the picture.
The liquor Act does legally empower the operation of the liquor licensing board and the liquor licensing board’s decisions are based on the liquor Act. They complement each other and police are instructed, through minutes by the liquor licensing board in the event that there is a problem.
Moreover, the courts will also rely on the liquor licensing Act to process a complaint unless the substance is illicit which falls under the Dangerous Drug Act, meaning the Minj District Court lacks that very piece of legislation to adjudicate justice.
However, police are under oath to arrest drunkards for causing public nuisance and other offences but the trading, imposing temporary bans and its uplifting and suspension of licenses and all other related functions are controlled by the liquor licensing board.
Apparently, many illegal thriving liquor outlets are mushrooming and selling brewed beer from licensed breweries. They are taking full advantage of the situation because they know their defence well.
Furthermore, the Jiwaka government’s bit to put in place a liquor licensing board has taken too long, which means police cannot do much own their own.
Given this situation, what we need is a speedy appointment of the Jiwaka provincial liquor licensing board and the enactment of the liquor licensing Act so that liquor problem in Jiwaka can be effectively controlled.

Andy Brum
Angenmol-Minj