Province put ban on liquor sales

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

THE Morobe provincial government has banned on alcohol sales in Lae city and surrounding areas this weekend.

The ban, which starts today and ends on Sunday, is being enforced to prevent problems during the Morobe Agricultural Show.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru gazetted the temporary ban to prevent binge drinking and unruly behaviour at the show, officials said.  

The ban will not affect hotels, taverns, entertainment centres, restaurants and licensed clubs in the central business areas, but it will cover Lae city and the Wampar and Ahi local level government areas.

Lae police operations commander Fred Kaiwa said police had been notified of the ban and they would be out in force to enforce it.

“No one should be consuming alcohol at the show ground because of the ban,” Kaiwa said.

He said people thinking of drinking alcohol must do so in their homes and not in public places or near the show precincts.