Genuine refugees will settle in PNG

ASYLUM seekers who are currently processed at the Australian-funded Lombrum processing facility on Manus will be allowed to permanently reside in Papua New Guinea if they are identified to be genuine refugees.

Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison said this during the commissioning of the new East Lorangau transit facility in Lorengau yesterday.

Mr Morrison said those asylum seekers whose applications have been processed and are regarded as genuine refugees will be transferred from Lombrum to the transit facility where they will be allowed to interact freely with the locals, who are friendly, and adapt to the local culture

"It is not just processing. The initial arrangement between Australia and Papua New Guinea was processing and resettlement so those who are identified to be genuine refugees will becoming citizens of Papua New Guinea," he said

"The Australian government has constructed this facility purposely for refugees to learn the language and the culture of Papua New Guinea and adapt to it because this will be their new home."

Mr Morrison thanked the Governor for Manus Charlie Benjamin and his people for showing good partnership with the people of Australia in allowing for asylum seekers to be processed in their province.

He said in appreciation the Australian government, through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, has spent millions of kina in upgrading infrastructure in the province, which has created a lot of jobs for the locals as well as spin-off businesses that have boosted the local economy.

Apart from commissioning the new facility Mr Morrison announced the funding of the Lorangau to Momote road project, launched the Lorengau market redevelopment project and commissioned a wing of the Beachside Hotel which was also funded by the Australian government.

Meanwhile, the locals were not given any chance to express their sentiments during the launching and commissioning of the projects.

Governor Charlie Benjamin expressed dissatisfaction over the Australian Government Officials and the PNG Immigration officials for intercepting the program and not allowing local leaders to respond to Mr Morrison’s speech. PNG Today/Post courier