East Sepik Province
East Sepik is a province in Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Wewak. East Sepik has an estimated population of 433,481 people (2010 census) and is 43,426 km square in size.
East Sepik Province
| |
|---|---|
 Near Wewak | |
 Flag | |
 East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea | |
| Coordinates: 4°20′S 143°15′E | |
| Country | Papua New Guinea |
| Capital | Wewak |
| Districts | |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Allan Bird |
| Area | |
| • Total | 43,426 km2 (16,767 sq mi) |
| Population (2011 census) | |
| • Total | 450,530 |
| • Density | 10/km2 (27/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+10 (AEST) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.538[1] low · 16th of 22 |
History
Cherubim Dambui was appointed as East Sepik's first premier by Prime Minister Michael Somare upon the creation of the provincial government in 1976.[2] Dambui remained interim premier until 1979, when he became East Sepik's permanent premier with a full term.[2] He remained in office until 1983.[2]
Geography
Wewak, the provincial capital, is located on the coast of East Sepik. There are a scattering of islands off shore, and coastal ranges dominate the landscape just inland of the coast. The remainder of the province's geography is dominated by the Sepik River, which is one of the largest rivers in the world in terms of water flow and is known for flooding[3]—the river's level can alter by as much as five metres in the course of the year as it rises and falls. The southern areas of the province are taken up by the Hunstein Range and other mountain ranges which form the central cordillera and feed the Sepik River.
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.[4][5][6]
Provincial leaders
The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Premier, from 1976 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.[7][8]
Premiers (1976–1995)
| Premier | Term |
|---|---|
| Cherubim Dambui | 1976–1983 |
| Jonathan Sengi | 1983–1987 |
| Bruce Samban | 1987–1991 |
| Provincial government suspended | 1991–1993 |
| Alex Anisi | 1993–1995 |
Governors (1995–present)
| Governor | Term |
|---|---|
| Michael Somare | 1995–1999 |
| Arthur Somare | 1999–2003 |
| Henry Ariro | 2003–2005 |
| Peter Waranaka | 2005–2012 |
| Michael Somare | 2012-2017 |
| Allan Bird | 2017–2022 |
| Allan Bird | 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 |
|---|---|
| East Sepik Provincial | Allan Bird |
| Ambunti-Dreikikir Open | Johnson Wapunai |
| Angoram Open | Salio Waipo |
| Maprik Open | Gabriel Kapris |
| Wewak Open | Kevin Isifu |
| Wosera-Gaui Open | Joseph Yopyyopy |
| Yangoru-Saussia Open | Richard Maru |
References
- "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
- "Hundreds mourn for Dambui". The National (Papua New Guinea). 2010-06-26. Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
- "Sepik River". Rainbow Habitat. Archived from the original on 2007-05-31.
- National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea
- "Final Figures". www.nso.gov.pg. 2011 National Population and Housing Census: Ward Population Profile. Port Moresby: National Statistical Office, Papua New Guinea. 2014.
- "Census Figures by Wards - Momase Region". www.nso.gov.pg. 2011 National Population and Housing Census: Ward Population Profile. Port Moresby: National Statistical Office, Papua New Guinea. 2014.
- May, R. J. "8. Decentralisation: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back". State and society in Papua New Guinea: the first twenty-five years. Australian National University. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- "Provinces". rulers.org. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
Bibliography
- Hanson, L.W., Allen, B.J., Bourke, R.M. and McCarthy, T.J. (2001). Papua New Guinea Rural Development Handbook. Land Management Group, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra. Available as a 30 Megabyte PDF.
External links
- Anthony Forge Films and Recordings From the Anthony Forge Papers. MSS 411. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
- Stephen Leavitt Fieldnotes and Recordings. MSS 27. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
