Company told to operate, investigations ongoing

WANBEL Industries Ltd (WIL) has been advised to continue its normal operations despite verbal instructions to shut down to ensure investigations into the verification of the alcohol percentage of its products.
Lae urban local level government (LULLG) acting director for health and community social services Jonathan Ipang, issued a verbal instruction to WIL owner Liluan Lin to close the factory last Thursday.
Ipang was prompted to act after Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and Lae MP John Rosso raised concern over the company’s alcohol products.
Rosso directed Morobe minister for liquor licencing and sports and Lord Mayor James Khay to lead the investigation into verifying the factory’s industrial manufacturing settings, health and sanitation and importantly procedures involving water and alcohol chemistry in the production of spirits and wines.
“Despite verbal instructions by Ipang, I write to advise you to open the factory to conduct normal business operations as my office will continue the investigations,” Rosso said.
The WIL factory, which is located at Bailing St, Kamkumung, produces the Hero brand of wines, whiskey, brandy, rum, coconut punch and fruit wines using orange, coffee, raspberry, pineapple, lime and blue berry.
According to laboratory analysis reports obtained from the National Analytical and Testing Services Ltd (NATSL) at the University of Technology, all alcohol percentage of the 12 products ranged from 16.6 per cent to 48.8 per cent.
Khay said he had acquired all necessary documents from WIL for perusal before inspections that would involve relevant government agencies based on a terms of reference.
“However, in such cases, it is proper to issue instructions in a professional manner writing in black and white taking into considerations its consequences,” he said.