news & events
Jiwaka Province to be a reality in 2012
THE dreams of the Hela and Jiwaka people to have their own separate provinces will be realised by 2012 after Parliament approved a bill in a historic 87-1 vote yesterday. Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta was given a rousing applause from the full public gallery as he announced his PNG Party would support the bill that would see the creation of Hela and Jiwaka provinces. His deputy and Lae MP Bart Philemon was the only MP who voted against the bill. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who introduced the Organic Law on Provincial Boundaries (Amendment) Law during the second reading, said this was a historic moment and the first time since Independence that Parliament was called upon to create two new provinces. He said the quest for the Hela province had started in 1973 when Andrew Wabiria moved a motion for a Hela province. Sir Michael said the struggle for a separate Jiwaka province was born around the same time when, in 1974, the North Waghi local level government council passed a motion calling for a separate administration area for Jiwaka people in Western Highlands district. “The people of Hela and Jiwaka have been seeking to realise their dreams for almost 36 years, this bill will realise those two dreams – one for Jiwaka and one for Hela,” Sir Michael said. The bill proposed to alter the provincial boundaries of Southern Highlands province to create a new Hela province and to alter the boundaries of Western Highlands to create a Jiwaka province. The new Hela province will comprise Tari-Pori, Komo-Margarima and Koroba-Lake Kopiago electorates, while the Jiwaka province will comprise Jimi, North Waghi and South Waghi area of the Anglimp-South Waghi electorate. “Last August, the Government approved criteria that must be satisfied to qualify for the grant of provincial status, and I am pleased to say that both Hela and Jiwaka have met all these requirements,” Sir Michael said. He said the National Government had undertaken extensive consultations with the people of Hela and Jiwaka and officials had toured the Hela and Jiwaka regions and were satisfied that the people of Hela and Jiwaka were ready and committed. Sir Michael said the Government promised the two new provinces during the elections and the bill demonstrated the Government delivering on its promise to the people of Hela and Jiwaka. He said the amendment would come with notice in the National Gazette that would be issued before the issue of writs for 2012 elections. The Prime Minister said many things would happen between now and 2012 including establishing provincial headquarters and district centres and putting staff arrangements in place. Sir Michael said Provincial Affairs Minister Job Pomat would introduce a bill in June that would introduce the Hela and Jiwaka interim authorities. “These authorities will be responsible for preparations for the new provinces and attainment of full provincial government status. “It is the intention of Government that in 2012, the people of Hela and Jiwaka will finally have their own provincial governments.” The bill, which is a Constitutional amendment, will return to Parliament after two months for the third reading and second opportunity for debate and second vote.
Source: The National 12/3/2009
Website Updates
jiwaka.org has received some long awaited updates. To all the net crawlers and fellow Jiwakans, I am pleased to announce that you can now be part of the online communty. Jiwaka has its own message board where you can hold your discussions or post your comments, suggestions, ideas or even post a notice. You can also find a photo gallery and a Jiwaka calendar where you can submit events and occassions for the wider community. There is still more to come but that again depends on the free time that I can get. Happy surfing for now and please do come visit again.
jiwaka province hype
THE pursuit of a Jiwaka province is on the lips of every Jiwaka leader, so it seems.
At the launch of the five-year district development plan on Saturday, leaders called on all parliamentarians to support the establishment of the Jiwaka province.
Former MP for Anglimp South Wahgi, Roger Palme, called on all nine western Highlands MPs to support the bill when it is introduced in Parliament next month.
Mr Palme said the people and the districts of Jimi, Wahgi and Kambia are prepared to be a province.
When calling on the leaders, Mr Palme said it would be a win-win situation for both Western Highlands and Jiwaka.
This call was supported by other local leaders who said Jiwaka was prepared to become a separate province.
Meanwhile, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop supported Imbongu MP Francis Awesa who said that the Opposition would support the bill to create the Hela and Jiwaka provinces. Mr Parkop said the Opposition would support any bills the government sponsored that would enhance better service delievery and development in the communities. The ceremony was attended by a huge crowd.
source: Highlands Post, Post Courier PNG (28th Oct 2008)