Time to impose alcohol ban in Enga, Ipatas

ENGA should join other highlands provinces by imposing a ban on alcohol.
The situation is getting out of hand and Governor Peter Ipatas must act quickly.
Is he so desperate that he has to rely on taxes collected from the sale of alcohol?
Shouldn’t he be concerned with the loss of lives and damage to property as a result of alcohol-related incidents?
He was the one opened the door for liquor to be sold in the province in 1996 and as a responsible leader, he ought to close it as he can see the damage caused by alcohol.
In the past 16 years, thousands of innocent lives have been lost.
According to the 2011 UN survey on mortality rate in Enga, nearly three-quarter of the death was alcohol-related.
Past Engan leaders such as the late Malipu Balakau and Anton Parao placed a lot of emphasis on the welfare and well-being of the people.
During these good old days, Enga was a peaceful and a trouble-free zone.
People could walk around freely.
But we are not able to do that today.

Gape Kumalapen
Via email