Lakes State lawmakers have called on the caretaker governor to abolish the statewide ban on alcohol. 

The caretaker governor Matur Chut issued a decree in February banning the sale of alcohol – saying it encourages insecurity in the state.

But some members of the state parliament are concerned that the ban is affecting women who support their families through the sale of alcohol.

David Koch-Kedhie said the insecurity in the state is caused by cattle raiding, highway robbery and bad marriages, not the consumption of alcohol.

“Alcohol,” said Koch-kedhie, “is part of people’s way of life, it can’t be prevented, and no one can rule it out at all because it should be regulated by hours.”

“There should be a specific time for drinking, but alcohol cannot be banned.”

Another member of the state legislative assembly, Makoi Bol said that state government needs to submit the order banning the alcohol for discussion in the assembly:

“It has not actually been taken to the assembly so that the assembly can decide, because this one has disadvantages and advantages that need to be studied by the assembly.”

This week, eight women were arrested in Rumbek, after an operation by police found they were selling banned local brew.