THE Honorable Soroi Marepo Eoe, MP, Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs today commended the Jiwaka Provincial Government for taking the initiative to enact the Jiwaka Provincial Liquor Law.
Minister Eoe stated that the Jiwaka Provincial Government submitted their Liquor Law to his office on the 2nd of May 2024 for approval pursuant to section 141 of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments (OLPGLLG).
The Minister explained that the law underwent a very stringent vetting process and after all necessary and relevant legal requirements were compiled with clearance, he granted approval for the Jiwaka Provincial Liquor Law on the 16th of July 2024.
Minister Eoe further stated that the vetting process is of paramount importance as it ensures that the Provincial and LLG laws is 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 curb alcohol related law and order issues as well as raise internal revenue through license fees and charges” Minister Eoe said.
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.
“Section 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”.
Minister Eoe called on all Provinces and LLGs to make full use of the powers under Section 42 and 44 to enact laws under the areas specified by these provisions.
