Ngaraard State Social Information

Population

450 +

Number of Households

117

State Government

Emulating a democratic system of government, Ngaraard State has three branches of government from the Executive to the Legislative down to the Judiciary under her Constitution ratified by her people on September 13, 1981. The Governor represents the Executive while “Olbetibel”, which consisted of two houses, the Assembly and the “Rubekul Ngaraard” (House of Traditional Chiefs of Ngaraard), represents the Legislative. However, although the Judiciary is recognized under the Constitution of the State, the state government is still short in its ability to operate in this direction, which is better left to the National Government’s judicial system until such time.

The Governor is elected by the people to a four-year term as the Chief Executive of the State. The Assembly has nine elected members with five representing the five counties (villages) and four representing the overall State for a four-year term. A Speaker, Vice Speaker, Floor Leader and Committee Chairmen are chosen amongst all members of the Assembly (Olbetibel) to the positions.

The “Rubekul Ngaraard” consisted of five members (High Chiefs) representing each of the counties (villages) with Chief NGIRAMEKETII of Choll; Chief NGIRAROIS of Elab; Chief BECHES of Ulimang; Chief MAD RA NGEBUKED of Ngebuked; and Chief KLOULUBAK of Ngkeklau. A Chairman is chosen amongst the five chiefs of the “Rubekul Ngaraard” to head the “Rubekul Ngaraard”. Chief MAD RA NGEBUKED Thomas Remengesau, Sr. is Chairman of the “Rubekul Ngaraard” (House of Chiefs).

The current State Government is at its Tenth term commencing in 2018 with Governor Benjamin Iskawa on his second year of a 1st term (the State’s Constitution is silent on the number of terms is allowed for an individual running for governor) as Governor of Ngaraard. Mr. Wilbert Ngirakamerang holds the position of Speaker of the State with Ms. Lucia Franz representing Ngekeklau County as Vice Speaker and Mr. John Temengil representing Ulimang County as Floor Leader of the Assembly of the "10th Olbetibel."

Villages

Ngaraard is consisted of five villages, namely the villages (counties) of Choll, Ngebuked, Elab, Ulimang, and Ngkeklau. Each village is traditionally composed of ten chiefs representing Clans at what is known as “rubekul a beluu” (head of the village) on all issues pertaining to the village.

Each village has its own bai, a traditional meetinghouse, used for all sorts of gathering. Visitors are allowed to tour and sightseeing around the villages, but please respect the island’s customs and traditions and adhere to the “do’s & don’ts” by asking the locals the appropriate means of making contact.