Clan looks to better 2012

THE Baimanekane clan in the Kunabau area of Chimbu’s Kerowagi district, passed a New Year’s resolution to ban the production and drinking of homebrew in their area.
The people living near Duglogambal market, who are known for causing disturbances on the road and harassing the travelling public, now want to live a good life.
The villagers gathered on Sunday at Diugl and surrendered five gas bottles used to produce homebrew to Correctional Services officers from Barawaghi, who came to witness the ceremony.
Villagers banned other clansmen from neighbouring villages from bringing homebrew into their area and selling it.
The surrender programme was initiated by CS officer Sgt Maima Kawage, his sister Penny Kawage who is a village court magistrate, and young community leaders.
Community leaders from neighbouring tribes – Otto Vitus, Ulka William, Fr Vincent Kaiglo, branch president of the Chimbu Women In-Politics Dere Cecilia and Highlands regional director of the National Agriculture and Livestock Programme based in Goroka Mawe Gonopa – were present during the ceremony and commended the people for their initiative.
Sgt Kawage said homebrew had a negative effect in their community.
He said in the past, they paid too much compensation for homebrew-related problems.
He said there was no order and people lived in fear, which resulted in little change taking place in their area.
Kawage said from the New Year, they must change from their bad habits and live peacefuly.