It is with great sadness that I hear of the passing of Sir Joseph Nombri, one of Simbu’s most distinguished and respected sons whom I met in Kiunga in 1995.
It is hard these days to find simple, down-to-earth leaders like him and three others who have passed away – Sir Iambakey Okuk, Sir Ignatius Kilage and Fr Louis Ambane.
Their deaths have been a great loss to their families and the people of Simbu and PNG.
To outside observers, many locals who remain home today and many who have since left, there is nothing to see and do in Simbu.
When you look at the hillsides, you will understand why one fifth of Simbus have left home in search of greener pastures and better land elsewhere in PNG.
Its geographical features tells a lot.
It is densely populated with rough and rugged mountainous offering some of the greatest challenges for drivers, especially on rural roads like Kundiawa-Gumine-Salt Nomane, Kindiawa-Gemgogl and Chave- Elimbari to Pila and Siane.
The stretch of the Okuk Highway that runs through Simbu is the worst part of the highway.
That about sums up this land – a land that does not hold very much in terms of fertility for cash crops and fresh garden produce.
But this is not major hindrance judging by the patch work of gardens that can be seen on the steep, stoney hillsides and valleys.
Simbu’s greatest resource is 400,000 people.
Simbu has found and created economic and social activities and industrious people.
 

Ami Tal Maima
Wewak.