| Simbu Province | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Province — | |||
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| Country | Papua New Guinea | ||
| Capital | Kundiawa | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | John Garia (2007-) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2,355.2 sq mi (6,100 km2) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| • Total | 259,703 | ||
| • Density | 110.3/sq mi (42.6/km2) | ||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) | ||
Simbu, also known as (and officially named) Chimbu, is a Highlands Region province in Papua New Guinea. The province has an area of 6,100 km² and a population of 259,703 (2000 census). The capital of the province is Kundiawa. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of Simbu.
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Simbu in the local dialect really means Sipuuuu, which means "thank you". Simbu is located in the central highlands cordillera of Papua New Guinea. It shares geographic and political boundaries with five provinces: Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Gulf and Madang. It is a significant source of organically produced coffee.
Simbu is a province with limited natural resources and very rugged mountainous terrain. The economic progress of the province has been slower than some other highlands provinces.
Simbu, although lacking natural resources, is able to contribute more in human resources and can now boast to have some of the country's top brains. Simbus are working in world renowned institutions world wide, from the United States to the United Kingdom. There are three secondary schools in the province: Kondiu Rosary Secondary School, Yauwe Moses Secondary School and Kerowagi Secondary School.
There are six 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.[1]
| District | District Capital | LLG Name |
|---|---|---|
| Chuave District | Chuave | Chuave Rural |
| Elimbari Rural | ||
| Siane Rural | ||
| Gumine District | Gumine | Bomai-Kumai Rural |
| Gumine Rural | ||
| Mount Digine Rural | ||
| Karimui-Nomane District | Karimui | Karimui Rural |
| Nomane Rural | ||
| Salt Rural | ||
| Kerowagi District | Kerowagi | Gena-Waugla Rural |
| Kerowagi Rural | ||
| Kup Rural | ||
| Kundiawa-Gembogl District | Kundiawa | Kundiawa Urban |
| Mount Wilhelm Rural | ||
| Niglkande Rural | ||
| Waiye Rural | ||
| Sina Sina-Yonggomugl District (Sinasina-Yonggomugl District) |
Yonggomugl | Sinasina Rural |
| Suwai Rural | ||
| Yonggomugl Rural |
The current governor, John Garia, was elected in the 2007 national election under the new Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system. The Governor is the head of the provincial government. The provincial bureaucracy is headed by the provincial administrator. The current acting administrator is Joseph Kunda Naur, a former educationist. He is from the Endugla/Naur tribe.
The provincial headquarters is Kundiawa, which is also the location of the province's main airport. Air Niugini makes three flights to Kundiawa each week. There are many guest houses within the proximity of Kundiawa town.
The province and each district is represented by a Member of the National Parliament. There is one provincial electorate and each district is a local ("Open") electorate. The following table lists Members before and after the 2007 general election.
| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
|---|---|---|
| Simbu Provincial | Peter Launa (URP) | John Garia (PNGP) [2] |
| Chuave Open | Jim Nomane (PCP) | Jim Nomane (PCP) [3] |
| Gumine Open | Nick Kuman (PNC) | Lucas Dekena (NA) [4] |
| Karimui-Nomane Open | Posi Menai (PAP) | Posi Menai (PAP) [4] |
| Kerowagi Open | Alphonse Willie (NA) | Guma Wau (URP) [4] |
| Kundiawa Open | Mathew Siune (PNGP) | Joe Mek Teine (PNGNP) [4] |
| Sinasina-Yonggamugl Open | Jeffrey Nape (NA) | Jeffrey Nape (NA) [5] |
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