13 Feb 2012

PNG city puts year-long liquor ban in place

4:15 pm on 13 February 2012

Papua New Guinea's second largest city of Lae has extended a liquor ban for another 12 months.

The Morobe Provincial Government previously had a three month alcohol restriction and has opted to impose further limits on drinking until the end of January 2013.

Notices to liquor outlets were issued by the Commission Chairman last week but some hotels and restaurants in the central business district will be exempt.

Our correspondent Oseah Philemon says public reaction to the move has been largely postive.

"People welcome it because they want peaceful elections and also they want to see a decline in street crimes and also fighting and all this sort of anti social behaviour on the streets of Lae city."

Oseah Philemon says the police need help from the provincial government to enforce the liquor ban especially from little settlement outlets.