Authority urges bodies to stop licences

THE Lae City Authority is urging statutory bodies in the city to stop issuing new liquor licences during the Covid-19 upsurge.
Chief executive officer Neil Ellery called on the liquor licensing board and the physical planning and building board to exercise their authority responsibly on the matter.
He said there were too many liquor outlets in the city and it was becoming “an epidemic”.
“These establishments are not beneficial to families, women and to the general health and wellbeing of our city,” he said.
“Especially in a time where we have the Covid-19 pandemic, these activities will only perpetuate its spread and that of other social diseases floating around our city that we don’t want to encourage.
“So I implore these bodies to stop issuing (licences) for new premises in our city.”
Ellery said statutory bodies in the city had a duty of care to the city residents to ensure that their well-being was looked after first.
Lae MP John Rosso is aware of the issue and will be discussing how best to manage it.
Ellery suggests that a letter from the authority and police be sent to the liquor licensing board and the building board on the issue.
The Morobe government has meanwhile imposed a liquor ban up to March 15.
ACP Northern Command Peter Guinness said this was to observe the mourning period for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.