Chimbu, also spelled Simbu, is a province in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea. The province has an area of 6,112 km2 and a population of 376,473 (2011 census). The capital of the province is Kundiawa. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea is on the border of Eastern part of Simbu and the Western part of Madang Province.
Geography Chimbu is located in the central highlands cordillera of Papua New Guinea. It shares geographic and political boundaries with five provinces: Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Gulf and Madang. It is a significant source of organically produced coffee.
Chimbu 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.
Education There are seven secondary schools in the province: Kondiu Rosary, Yauwe Moses, Kerowagi, Muaina, Gumine, Mt Wilhelm and Kundiawa Lutheran Day Secondary School. The province also has many high and primary schools.
Districts and LLGs The province is subdivided into six districts, with each district further subdivided into 18 rural LLGs and 2 urban LLGs areas. Each of the RLLGs are headed by a President and Urban LLG by a Mayor. Each LLGs have various council wards represented by a councillor who sits in the Council Assembly. All the councillors are democratically elected and Presidents are elected in the Council Assembly. For census purposes, the LLG areas are again subdivided into wards and those into census units.
District District Capital LLG Name Chuave District Chuave Chuave Rural Elimbari Rural Siane Rural Gumine District Gumine Bomai-Gumai Rural Gumine Rural Mount Digine Rural Salt Nomane Karamui District Kilau Karimui Rural Nomane Rural Salt Rural Kerowagi District Kerowagi Gena-Waugla Rural Upper-Lower Koronigl Rural Kerowagi Urban Kup Rural Kundiawa-Gembogl District Kundiawa Kundiawa Urban Mitnande Rural (Mount Wilhelm Rural) Niglkande Rural Waiye Rural Sina Sina-Yonggomugl District Yonggomugl Tabare Rural (Sinasina) Suai Rural (Suwai) Yonggomugl Rural
Political governance and administration Chimbu provincial leaders The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Premier, from 1977 to 1995. Following reforms taking effect that year, the national government reassumed some powers, and the role of Premier was replaced by a position of Governor, to be held by the winner of the province-wide seat in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea.
Premiers (1976–1995)
Premier Term Siwi Kurondo 1976–1978 Mathew Siune 1978–1984 provincial government suspended 1984–1986 Peter Gul 1986–1988 David Mai 1988–1992 Edward Bare 1992–1993 Edward Aba 1993–1995
Governors (1995–present)
Governor Term Yauwe Riyong 1995–1997 Louis Ambane 1997–1998 Simeon Wai 1998–1999 Louis Ambane 1999–2003 Alphonse Willie 2003–2004 Peter Launa 2004–2007 John Garia 2007–2012 Noah Kool 2012–2017 Micheal Dua Bogai 2017–2022 Noah Kool 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 a local ("Open") electorate.
Electorate Name Chimbu Provincial Noah Kool Chuave Open James Nomane Gumine Open Dawa Dekena Salt Nomane Karamui Open Francis Yori Alua Kerowagi Open Francis Kikin Siune Kundiawa-Gembogl Open ON HOLD-Suspended Sinasina-Yonggomugl Open Kerenga Kua
See also Adumo
References
Deck, D. Sipu-u-u-u to Simbu, Paradise Magazine