Alcohol-related social issues have been reduced drastically in Kainantu District with the alcohol ban in Eastern Highlands Province for the month of September, said Kainantu police station commander inspector Steven Yalamu (pictured).
He said the people have started to behave like human beings and as intellectuals.
“It is not like before when the people drank cheap alcohol with high potent liquor, lost their senses as a result and harass innocent people,” Insp Yamalu said.
“Order has begun to return to the communities since the alcohol ban came into effect this month.
“Goroka Show is the testament to this achievement.
“It was orderly and no rowdy behaviour has occurred to disturb the public peace. Everyone enjoyed the show.
“In Kainantu, we had a mini cultural show two weeks earlier and everyone enjoyed it.
“After the mini show, the Kainantu District Development Authority (DDA) launched its five-year development plan.
“No rowdy behaviour occurred during these two events and this is all because of the alcohol ban in place for September,” he said.
Insp Yalamu commended the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government under the chairmanship of Simon Sia, for coming up with this decision in view of the famous Goroka Show 2023 that normally attracts international tourists and prominent figures, and called for tougher measures on the alcohol industry in the province, especially those selling high liquor potent at cheap prices.
Meanwhile, Inspector Yalamu said the Kainantu District Court has convicted a man and fined him K6000 for selling liquor during the alcohol ban period.
He said the court also convicted another man and sentenced him to five years in prison with hard labour for possession of ammunition plus 12 months imprisonment, also with hard labour for consuming alcohol in a public place.