Governor wants one alcohol dealer only

 THE Western Highlands provincial assembly is looking at passing an amendment under the Liquor Licensing Act to allow for one liquor distributor in the province.

There are three distributors in the province and on Monday assembly members led by chairman and Governor Pais Wingti moved to see if the new amendment could be in place for one distributor, which is Pacific Arabica. 

The provincial licensing board banned the sale of alcohol in Western Highlands and Jiwaka since last month.

However, distributors and operators took out a restraining order to stop the board’s decision and the court ruled in their favour to lift the ban. 

Wingti told assembly members there were many distributors with and without licences who sold to anyone.

Wingti said if Pacific Arabica could be the only  distributor, it would minimise law and order problems in the province. 

“I was the person who opposed the sale of liquor in the province since I was the governor but I don’t know why it crept in again,” Wingti said.