Jiwaka Province
Province in Papua New Guinea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jiwaka is a province of Papua New Guinea. The government gazetted provincial capital is located in Kurumul. Temporarily all provincial matters are handled in Minj after the election of the new Governor in 2022 general elections. Matters concerning each district are dealt with at their respective district administration office.
Jiwaka Province
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|---|---|
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Flag | |
 Jiwaka Province in Papua New Guinea | |
| Coordinates: 6°0′S 144°35′E | |
| Country | Papua New Guinea |
| Formation | 2012 |
| Capital | Kurumul |
| Districts | |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Simon Kaiwi (2022-) |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,798 km2 (1,853 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 census) | |
• Total | 343,987 |
| • Density | 71.69/km2 (185.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+10 (AEST) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.539[1] low · 15th of 22 |
The province covers an area of 4,798 km²,[2] and there are 343,987 inhabitants (2011 census final figures[3]—2000 census 185,641). Jiwaka province officially came into being on 17 May 2012,[4] comprising three districts[5][6] previously part of Western Highlands Province. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of Jiwaka.
Etymology
"Jiwaka" is a portmanteau word combining the first two letters each from the word Jimi, Waghi and Kambia. Jimi, Waghi and Kambia denote the topographical landscape referencing the Valley (Waghi Valley) and the mountain ranges at the north (Jimi) and south (Kambia).
Districts and LLGs
There are eight LLGs in Jiwaka's four districts of Minj, Banz, Nondugl and Jiimi. Anglimp rural, Kudjip rural, Minj rural, Minj urban, Nondugl, Banz urban, Banz rural, and Jimi LLGS. districts in the province. Each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.[7][8][9]
| District | District Capital | LLG Name |
|---|---|---|
| Anglimp-South Waghi District | Minj | Anglimp Rural |
| South Waghi Rural | ||
| Jimi District | Tabibuga | Jimi Rural |
| Kol Rural | ||
| North Waghi District | Banz | North Waghi Rural |
| Nondugl Rural |
Provincial leaders
Chairman of the Jiwaka Transitional Authority (2010–2012)
Philip Kapal was later Knighted for his service to PNG politics and the people of Jiwaka.
His term as Chairman during the transitional period has never been smooth. He was met with stiff opposition from individuals with vested political interest. Late Jamie Maxtone-Graham who was member for Anglimp South Waghi moved a 'Private Member's bill in Parliament to have sitting members as Chairman. That law was passed and Benjamin Mul who was North Waghi MP got the nod following rigorous lobbying by Mul and Jamie's cohorts. Following that, there was a spate of court battles leading to the inaugural general elections in 2012.
| Chairman | Term |
|---|---|
| Philip Kapal | 2010–2011 |
Governors (2012–present)
| Governor | Term |
|---|---|
| William Tongamp | 2012–2022 |
| Simon Kaiwi | 2022-present |
Members of the National Parliament
The province and each district is represented by a Member of the National Parliament. There is one provincial electorate and each district is an open electorate.
| Electorate | Member |
|---|---|
| Jiwaka Provincial | Simon Kaiwi |
| Anglimp-South Waghi Open | Joe Kuli |
| Jimi Open | Wake Goi |
| North Waghi Open | Benjamin Mul |
Geography
Jiwaka is located in a very fertile land (Waghi Valley). The Waghi River runs between the valley and most of the people benefit out of it. Besides the Waghi River, the land is naturally fertile and people harvest the best food from it. The 3 resources of the Jiwaka people are coffee, tea and human resources. (SKM-Manda Dam-Tukoi)