Oro Province, formerly (and officially still) Northern Province,The provincial government purported officially to change the name of the province but did not formally invoke procedures mandated in the Constitution for what would have amounted to a constitutional change, the names of the provinces being laid down there. The name "Oro" has nevertheless come into widespread use just as, indeed, the similarly informal and at one time widely used "North Solomons Province" for Bougainville Province has somewhat fallen into desuetude. is a coastal province in the Southern Region of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Popondetta. The province covers 22,800 km2, and has 176,206 inhabitants (2011 census). The province shares land borders with Morobe Province to the northwest, Central Province to the west and south, and Milne Bay Province to the southeast. The province is located within the Papuan Peninsula.
Oro is the only province in which the Anglican Church is the major religious denomination. Oil palm is the principal primary industry. William Clarke College also funds people in that area.William Clarke College, Kellyville, NSW, Australia
The northern end of the Kokoda Track terminates at the village of Kokoda in the province and the active volcano Mount Lamington. Once the Kokoda Track was taken and provided access from Port Moresby to the hinterland during the Second World War, the coast of the then Northern District was also the scene of heavy fighting; the Buna, Gona and Sanananda campaigns are particularly well remembered.
In January 1951, the province was devastated by the catastrophic eruption at Mount Lamington. The volcano ejected a column of ash up to high. The eruption destroyed many villages, the surrounding vegetation, and killed nearly 3,000 people.
The Tufi dive and cultural resort is located on the north coast of the Cape Nelson Rural Local Level Government area and is well known for its diving and the spectacular rias, locally referred to as ' fjords'.
Districts and LLGs
Each province in Papua New Guinea has one or more districts, and 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.National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea
District District Capital LLG Name Ijivitari District Popondetta Afore Rural Oro Bay Rural Popondetta Urban Safia Rural Tufi Rural (Cape Nelson) Sohe District Kokoda Higaturu Rural Kira Rural Kokoda Rural Tamata Rural
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 (1977–1995)
Premier Term Edric Eupu 1977 Mark Taua 1977–1983 Conway Ihova 1983–1985 Dennis Kageni 1985–1987 Bensen Ariembo 1987–1988 Newman Mongagi 1988–1989 Lionel Handu 1989 Kingsley Gegeyo 1990 Parminus Cuthbert 1991 Benstead Atoto 1991–1992 Douglas Garawa 1992–1995
Governors (1995–present)
Governor Term Sylvanius Siembo 1995–2002 Bani Hoivo 2002–2007 Suckling Tamanabae 2007–2012 Gary Juffa 2012–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 Northern Provincial Gary Juffa Ijivitari Open David Arore Popondetta Open Richard Masere Sohe Open Henry Amuli
References