Ialibu is a small township in the

Southern Highlands Province Southern Highlands is a province in Papua New Guinea. Its provincial capital is the town of Mendi. According to Papua New Guinea's national 2011 census, the total population of Southern Highlands (after the separation of Hela Province) is 515,511 ...

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

, serving as the headquarters for the

Ialibu-Pangia District Ialibu-Pangia District is a district of the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Ind ...

. It also caters for the Imbongungu speaking people of the Imbonggu Electorate. Ialibu is the transit point into the Kagua-Erave Electorate. The construction route of the Gulf Highway. The town is administered by

Ialibu Urban LLG Ialibu Urban LLG is a local-level government (LLG) of Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ...

Culture

Ialibuans are known for weaving and selling vegetable baskets. It is one of the many ways which many rural people earn a living. The Ialibu Museum was established in the 1990s. Languages spoken in the district are Kewabi and Immbonggu. Some of the respected and notable personalities who have shaped Ialibu are: Turi Wari, Undi Nandi, Nandie Nanduka and Yamuna of Koromi, Walipi Apurel Kenegere, Chief Roya Yaki (Siwi-Utame former MP I-P), Ame Bote, Yer Kale, Patrick Rama, Aloysius Nale, Lepilepi Kawa, Raphael Noipo, Thomas Warua, Pawa Kombea, Roxon Undi and the former

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea The prime minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Prai Minista bilong Papua Niugini) is Papua New Guinea's head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National P ...

Peter O'Neill Peter Charles Paire O'Neill (born 13 February 1965) is a Papua New Guinean politician who served as the seventh Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2011 to 2019. From 2002 until the present he served as Member of Parliament for Ialibu-Pan ...

. Current PNG Defence Force Commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Toropo is also a Ialibuan. Ialibu has produced some high-profile leaders in the country. The former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Mr Peter O'Neill is from the Ialibu Pangia Electorate. The late Amb. Peter Ipu Peipul and former PNG Oppositions Leader Mr. Roy Yaki are also from the area. The sixth Governor General of PNG Sir Wiwa Korowi, is also from Ialibu. Ialibu has produced and continues to produce many educated elites serving in the Public and Private sectors of the country including academic institutions who are actively contributing to the development of Papua New Guinea. Among them are: Leader for MP of Ialibu Pangia & former DO Leader Chief Roya Yaki, Dr Topul Rali, Dr James Yoko, Dr Sam Kari, Dr Apo Yarepea, Dr Philip Kereme, Dr Kelly Limbiye Kelegai, Dr Kevin Pamba, Dr Paul Pumuye, Oscar Yamuna, Dike Kari, Leslie Kari, David Sode, Peter Maginde, Allen Kundi, Julius Kera, Kelly Matoli, Silas Matoli, Thimon Bune, Pius Alopea, Ambe Keleli, Major General Gilbert Toropo, Roxon Undi, Bob Marley Undi, Raphael Noipo and many other young leaders. Pioneer woman leader in business and politics are Rombame Nandi, Ruth Walame Undi Elizabeth Roya Goodman FCPA (AU) MPA MBA (from Ponowi Village with presence in Australia, PNG, Solomon Islands, PNG, Tuvalu & Timor-Leste 1990-2021)

Communications and transportation

Ialibu is connected by roads to the rest of the world. Ialibu does have a certified airstrip which is yet to be operational. The nearest airports are Mendi and Mt Hagen, both about an hour from Ialibu Station. Radio stations are available and mobile phone and landline phones are provided by Telikom PNG and DIGICEL. The national television station,

EM TV EMTV is a commercial television station in Papua New Guinea. Until the launch of the National Television Service in September 2008, it was the country's only free to air television service.Rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...

Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. It has been a part of the official program of the Summ ...

and

Touch Rugby Touch rugby refers to games derived from rugby football in which players do not tackle each other but instead touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball. A formal, competitive variety, known as Tou ...

. Ialibu has produced many rugby league stars. The most notable ones are Raymond Karl, Nande Yer, Joe Rema, Francis Pegu, Mark Warua, Jessie Joe Parker, Dion Aiye, Philemon Kimisive and Justin Olam. They have all represented Papua New Guinea as Kumuls.(Melbourne Storm's Justin Olam, playing in the NRL, is part Ialibu and part Simbu). Soccer has lost popularity since the 1980s.

Landmarks and attractions

The most significant landmark feature is the Telikom PNG telecommunication tower. It is situated in the middle of the administration center. It is also home to Mount Ialibu and

Mount Giluwe Mount Giluwe is the second highest mountain in Papua New Guinea at ( Mount Wilhelm being the highest), and the fifth highest peak on the island of New Guinea. It is located in the Southern Highlands province and is an old shield volcano with v ...

, which the second highest mountain in Papua New Guinea and a tourist attraction. So many other significant natural tourism attractions and natural flora and fauna within the vicinity of the central basin area maybe found in nearby geographical locations with close proximities.

Health and education

The Ialibu District Hospital offers services to the Ialibu, Pangia, Kagua and Erave people. There is only one general practitioner here despite the fact that there is position for two medical officers. There are several nursing staff at the hospital. the common illnesses seen at the hospital are medical conditions including

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...

, COAD, as well as other infective conditions. The hospital also provides paediatrics care and obstetrics care as well. Lifestyle diseases like essential

hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

and

diabetes mellitus Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

are a rising problem in this area. Major cases the GP cannot manage are referred by car to the Mt. Hagen General Hospital. The hospital is state run. Schools in the district include, Ialibu Secondary School, St Clare Primary School, Kepi Technical Vocational Training Institute, Ialibu Admin Primary School and Ialibu Lutheran Community School. Products of Ialibu Secondary School include notable men and women like Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, MP Pilla Niningi, Jacob Iki, Aloysius Rema, Dr. Walipe Wingi, Dr. Pole Awei, Marley Undi, Dr. Kevin Pamba, Thomas Warua, Grace Warua, Maritha Warua, Dr Sam Kari, Mary Rema, Ruth Undi, Pat Matoli and many others currently in politics, in the Public Service, in the disciplinary forces, in the Private Sector and many engaging private business. Ialibu will be home to the newly proposed Western Pacific University. This is the initiative of the former Prime Minister of PNG Honourable Peter O'Neil who is one of the favourite sons of Ialibu. The University is built on traditional land belonging to the Pekai Aluwe (Koromi) tribe of Ialibu.

Climate

Ialibu has a

subtropical highland climate An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate, is the humid temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification ''Cfb'', typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool summers and mild winters ( ...

(Cfb) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round.

Surrounding villages

The villages nearby Ialibu are Topopulu, Yameyame (Yamex), Yal-Kuli, Kapolga, Yamba, Mungure, Maroloma, Riwi& Aropa, Koromi, Lama, Pale, Yarena, Muli, Yate, Paipa, Ponowi, Iombi, Karanas, Isale, Epeanda Mungumapu, Mondada, Kendgal (Kendayamo), Yailte Palta, Polgopo, Konjo, Kuyopulu, Koraipe, Kengaro, Pilipili Island (PSP), Kokola, Pope, Maral, Kalipine, Elgele, Kero, Kou, Kongibulg, Lipite, Pokorapulgu, Kirene, Kumbame, Pagipuru, Lepora, Walume, Pokale, Konapugl, Tirigipena, Oilge, Popurol, Karape Kaloli, Kume, Orei Kaupena, Yarepe and many more. Main tribes surrounding the Ialibu township are Pekai Aluwe (Topopul, Koromi, Kapolga villages), Kauka Aluwe (Yameyame and Lama Sawmill villages) Rakili (Yamba, Lama Sawmill, Kemboli, Riro, Wangai, Yarena), Kepik/Kipurupa (Karanas, Aropa, Riwi, Kondeli, Yamonda, Lakira, Isale, Epeanda), Tangiki (Kendagl, Marapul, Kapipul, PSP), Makai (Walum, Kero, Kongibul),Yalipu Makai (Kokola), Warena (Kou, Kaupena), Ekai (Olga Pope, Mokapoi, Tilipunge, Marali, Kagoli Poine, Ilge No, Kalibine, Kaka, Elgele), Ekai (Muli), Ekai (Limbo) Koke (Maine Pope, Kokola), Pupai (Kendal, Polgopo) Kolgi (Kendal), Nemola (Ponowi), Marepa/Makai (Pale), Moi Marepa/Mokoi Makai (Pawia, Yarena), Walupape (Iate, Rawame, Nemola (Ponowi), Pouka. The people from these places share the common local languages Imboungu and Kewabi. Imboungu is mainly spoken by central Ialibu and extends to Mt Hagen (Melpa) and Mendi (Mandi) whereas Kewabi is spoken by people living further east towards Kagua, Erave and Pangia Districts.

References

{{reflist Populated places in Southern Highlands Province