East Sepik Province Is Sepik Provins (Tok Pisin) | |
|---|---|
 NearWewak | |
 Flag | |
 East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea | |
| Coordinates:4°20′S143°15′E / 4.333°S 143.250°E /-4.333; 143.250 | |
| 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 | 10.375/km2 (26.870/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+10 (AEST) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.538[1] low ·16th of 22 |
East Sepik is a province inPapua New Guinea. Its capital isWewak. East Sepik has an estimated population of 450,530 people (2011 census) and is 43,426 km square in size. Its density is 10.4 people per square kilometer.
Cherubim Dambui was appointed as East Sepik's firstpremier byPrime MinisterMichael 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]
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 theSepik 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 centralcordillera and feed the Sepik River.
Each province in Papua New Guinea has one or more districts, and each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. Forcensus purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.[4][5][6]
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 theNational Parliament of Papua New Guinea.[7][8]
| Premier | Term |
|---|---|
| Cherubim Dambui | 1976–1983 |
| Jonathan Sengi | 1983–1987 |
| Bruce Samban | 1987–1991 |
| Provincial government suspended | 1991–1993 |
| Alex Anisi | 1993–1995 |
| 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 |
The province and each district is represented by a Member of theNational Parliament. There is one provincialelectorate 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 | Stanley Muts Samban |
| Wosera-Gaui Open | Joseph Yopyyopy |
| Yangoru-Saussia Open | Richard Maru |
| Geographic | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
