# Western Province (Papua New Guinea)

Western Province is a coastal province in southwestern Papua New Guinea, bordering the Indonesian provinces of Highland Papua and South Papua. The provincial capital is Daru. The largest town in the province is Tabubil. Other major settlements are Kiunga, Ningerum, Olsobip and Balimo.
The provincial government has, as with the governments of North Solomons, Chimbu and Northern provinces, sought to change the name of the province. The government uses the name Fly River Provincial Government; however, this remains unofficial as it has not been changed in the Constitution of Papua New Guinea.

## Geography and ecology

Western Province covers 99,300 km² and is the largest province in Papua New Guinea by area. There are several large rivers that run through the province, including the Fly River and its tributaries the Strickland and Ok Tedi rivers. The largest lake in Papua New Guinea, Lake Murray, is also in Western Province.
This province is the only part of Papua New Guinea to hold land west of the 141°E line, which divides it from Indonesian Western New Guinea. This is a small section of territory bordered by the Fly River.
The Tonda Wildlife Management Area in the south-western corner of the province is a wetland of international importance. It is the largest protected area in Papua New Guinea.
The flora and fauna of much of Western Province resemble those of northern Australia. Flora includes eucalyptus, melaleuca, acacia, and banksias. Fauna includes wallabies, bandicoots, goannas, coastal taipans, and mound-building termites.$^{:648}$
The drier, southern parts of the province have eucalyptus and melaleuca savannas (the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands) that support large populations of birds, wallabies, and introduced deer, with dense rainforests being located to the north. The dry season is from July–November, while the wet season is from December–June. Sago cultivation dominates the wetter north, while yam cultivation dominates the drier south.$^{:648}$

## Demographics

There were 201,351 inhabitants in Western Province in the 2011 census, residing in 31,322 households. Of these, 79,349 people were recorded in Middle Fly District, 62,850 in North Fly District and 59,152 in South Fly District. The average household size across the province was 6.4.

## Economy

The major economic activity in the province is constituted by the Ok Tedi Mine, initially established by BHP and the subject of considerable litigation by traditional landowners both in respect of environmental degradation and disputes over royalties. It is currently operated by Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML).

## Districts and LLGs

There are three districts in the province. 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.
| District | District Capital | LLG Name |
| North Fly District | Kiunga | Kiunga Rural |
| North Fly District | Kiunga | Kiunga Urban |
| North Fly District | Kiunga | Ningerum Rural |
| North Fly District | Kiunga | Olsobip Rural |
| North Fly District | Kiunga | Star Mountains Rural |
| Middle Fly District | Balimo | Balimo Urban |
| Middle Fly District | Balimo | Bamu Rural |
| Middle Fly District | Balimo | Gogodala Rural |
| Middle Fly District | Balimo | Lake Murray Rural |
| Middle Fly District | Balimo | Nomad Rural |
| South Fly District | Daru | Daru Urban |
| South Fly District | Daru | Kiwai Rural |
| South Fly District | Daru | Morehead Rural |
| South Fly District | Daru | Oriomo-Bituri 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 |
| Tatie Olewale | 1977–1983 |
| Semai Aitowai | 1983–1985 |
| provincial government suspended | 1985–1988 |
| Norbert Makmop | 1988–1991 |
| Isidore Kaseng | 1992–1995 |

### Governors (1995–present)

| Governor | Term |
| Dere Wamaro | 1992–1997 |
| Norbert Makmop | 1997–2002 |
| Bob Danaya | 2002–2012 |
| Ati Wobiro | 2012–2017 |
| Taboi Awe Yoto | 2017–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 |
| Western Provincial | Taboi Awi Yotto |
| Delta Fly Open | Agena Gamai |
| North Fly Open | James Donald |
| Middle Fly Open | Maso Hewabi |
| South Fly Open | Sekie Agisa |