08 November 2013

Manus facts – November update

Australia today issued updated fact sheets about the Regional Processing Centre, defence cooperation and development assistance on Manus Province.
The changed and new information includes:

• A rise in the number of PNG citizens employed to provide services at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) on Lombrum. As of 1 November, 616 PNG citizens are employed, up from 424 a month ago. Five hundred of these citizens are from Manus, up from 287 a month ago.
• A rise in the average worth of business for the 10 Manus companies with a direct involvement providing goods and services to the RPC. Their average worth of business of K196,600 per week was a weekly increase of 15.6 per cent from October.
• HMAS Choules, which was supporting the establishment of the RPC, has now sailed back to Australia. The work by HMAS Choules assisted the PNGDF personnel in maintenance of their facilities and improved their capacity for maritime patrols.
• Australia delivered the first batch of specialist medical equipment to Lorengau hospital on 26 September. More than 20 types of equipment and instruments, worth approximately K1 million, are being provided to the hospital in batches sourced by open tender from internationally recognised quality assured suppliers.
• Construction of school infrastructure at six schools (M’Buke, Likum, Metapong, Bipi Island, Harengan and N’yada) is on average 72 per cent complete. Construction is underway at a further seven schools and another seven infrastructure kits are due to be delivered in November. The infrastructure includes a double classroom with an administration office, teacher house and ablution block. The schools were selected by the Manus Provincial Division of Education.