Bukapena – Ward 1
Bukapena is a village in the Mul LLG of Mul-Baiyer-Lumusa District of Western Highlands Province.
It is the home of the Nenga Andakel clan who are members of the greater Nenga Hoiamb tribal lineage.
It’s neighboring Wards are; Kilimp (Ward 33), Mantma (Ward 36) and Kileg (Wards 1, 2 & 3).
It has a station which previously had the District headquarters from Independence up till 1990s before being moved to Baiyer LLG
Bukapena currently hosts the Mul LLG Office, the Council Chamber, the Bukapena Health Centre and Bukapena Primary School.
The rural police station and DPI (Department of Primary Industry) establishments have since run down.
Bukapena also has the District Circuit for the Lutheran Church. Read about other churches and NGOs in the District as well as government services and organizations in the District.
The Ward Councillor for Bukapena is Mr. Nathan Wantepe. He is the former LLG President for Mul LLG and has held senior positions at the provincial administration.
The Ward also has other notable leaders including the former MP and State Minister, Sani Rambi.
Ward Profile
Census Population:
Appox 2000
Eligible Voters:
1000
Available Government Services:
As a former District Headquarter, they do have the Bukapena Health Center, Mul LLG office and a Council Chamber.
There is a sealed road leading to the Mt. Hagen city and electricity lines lines from the Rural Electricity Program run through the Ward.
Read about the road and bridge upgrade and maintenance in the Mul LLG that is currently underway.
Education:
They have two elementary schools; Kolg Elementary and Bukapena Elementary.
The nearest Primary School is Bukapena Primary School which is located in the Ward.
The nearest secondary schools are; Kombolopa, Paglum, Kwip Dau and the other town schools.
Health:
The nearest Health Center is Bukapena Health Centre located in the ward. It is a referral health centre and has less than a dozen staff with an Ambulance.
Electricity:
The rural electricity program has power lines from town to the ward. However, power supply gets rationed at times and power lines get vandalized at times as well.
Water Supply:
There is no water supply in the ward, although an old supply system got damaged many decades ago.
People depend on nearby creeks for water supply.
Nearest Transport Route to Mt. Hagen City:
It takes about 30 minutes by bus to Mt. Hagen city. The road network connects to Baiyer and Lumusa towards the Northeast and also to the Tambul-Wabag highway on the Southwest.
Geography:
Bukapena is located just below Mount Hagen (3778 m) which sits along the Hagen Range of the Central Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
The climate is cool all year round with temperature around 15°C to 20°C. The vegetation is mostly grass shrubs common of all tropical highlands with hardwoods near the mountains but in short supply. Some cassurina and pine trees are planted around the village for household uses.
Most of the farmlands have been cultivated and are inhabited. Shifting cultivation is the dominant type of agriculture practice by locals.
Socioeconomic Facts:
People of Bukapena do shifting cultivation and live in hamlets especially around immediate family members. In fact they are all somewhat related to each other.
Their forefather is Mr. Pew whose brothers are Kults, Wana and Olgem. These are the descendant of Nenga Kui Rupa and Nenga Yukuma who have originated from the Tambul-Nebilye area as according to their oral history.
There are two main sub-clans; Moka Rapa and Angembpona Rapa. The word Rapa means hauslain or sub-clans.
Apart from farming, there are minimal SME activities.
Most of their farm produces are sold in the Mt. Hagen City markets to meet basic necessities. The dominant cash crops are; sweet potatoes (kaukau), potatoes, cabbages, broccolis, carrots, tobacco, etc.
The nearby tea plantations of Minjikina and Puglamb which employ a number of locals have closed operations almost two decades ago.
Apart from farming, people gather for church activities and other cultural activities such as Brideprice ceremonies, funerals, political gatherings, compensations, village courts and peace negotiations.
Religion (Denomination):
The dominant Denomination in the Ward is Lutheran Church because, Bukapena has the Lutheran Circuit Office there.
Other churches including Roman Catholic, Seventh Days Adventists, Assembly of God and a few more who hold the cornerstones to the harmony and cohesion of the communities.
Development Needs:
There are immediate development needs and aspirations for the District; both short term and long-term.
Short-term (Immediate Development Needs):
For the short term, the maintenance of Kunum Bridge that has deteriorated recently and the opening of the Gumanch Bridge are of immediate concerns for the populace.
Moreover, the electricity lines to the Ward have been damaged and need immediate repair.
Long-term Development Needs:
For the long-term, the reviving of the Bukapena Rural Police Station to maintain the rising Law and Order problems is of concern, among others.
The members of the ward also need a proper water supply to sustain their livelihoods.
More updates will be posted here in due course.
If you would like to update your ward/village, please contact us.
For other wards in the District, click on the respective LLGs below;
- Mul LLG;
- Baiyer LLG; and
- Lumusa LLG.
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