APPROVAL OF JIWAKA PROVINCIAL LIQUOR LAW

By Benjamin Koitaka

THE Jiwaka province was given the green light to enact and impose Liquor Laws where necessary at the provincial and local levels, moving forward.

This was after the bills or laws drafted and submitted to the Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs were finally vetted and approved.

Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Mr. Soroi Eoe today ( Tuesday 30th of July) commended the Jiwaka Provincial Government for taking the initiative to enact the Jiwaka Provincial Liquor Law and handed over the documents to Governor Simon Kaiwi for further deliberations and discussion at their provincial Headquarter and assembly.

Mr. Eoe stated that the Jiwaka Provincial Government submitted their Liquor Law to his office on the 2nd of May 2024 for approval under section 141 of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments (OLPGLLG).

Mr Eoe further explained that the law underwent a very stringent vetting process. After all necessary and relevant legal requirements were compiled with clearance, he approved the Jiwaka Provincial Liquor Law on the 16th of July 2024.

He further stated that the vetting process is of paramount importance as it ensures that the Provincial and LLG laws are consistent with the Constitution, the (OLPGLLG) and Acts of Parliament.

“The Jiwaka Provincial Government can now be able to enforce the provincial liquor law in the province and it is our utmost hope this law will enable the province to curb alcohol-related law and order issues as well as raise internal revenue through license fees,” Mr Eoe said before presenting the documents to the Jiwaka Governor.

Moreover, Minister Eoe emphasized the importance of Sections 42 and 44 of the (OLPGLLG) stating that these are important constitutional provisions that play a very critical role in the space of decentralization of powers.

“Sections 42 and 44 legally decentralized the law-making powers from the National Government to the Sub-National Government”.

“Provinces are empowered under Section (42) (1) (c) of the OLPGLLG to enact a provincial law to control the distribution and consumption of liquor in the province,” he said.

Mr. Eoe called on all Provinces and LLGs to fully use the powers under Sections 42 and 44 to enact laws under the areas specified by these provisions.

Jiwaka Governor Kaiwi lauded the ministry responsible for giving them the powers to enact, establish, and exercise the laws or provisions where necessary, for the betterment of the province at the Provincial and local levels.

“I commend Minister Eoe for finally giving the approvals for the Liquor Laws to be imposed in our province.

“We have countless social-economic lawlessness in our province due to alcohol abuse and consumption and we want to fix that moving forward.

“I will take these (documents) back to the province, sit with the PEC ( Provincial Executive Council), and discuss which possible ways we can enforce the laws,” Kaiwi said.

Kaiwi further added that the PEC will announce to the province and its people when these regulations are taking effect.