Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

140822 - Manus Facesheets

REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE ON MANUS: ECONOMIC AND AID UPDATE
FACT SHEET 1 – ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
AS AT 31 JULY 2014

Workforce development

  • Approximately 1011 PNG citizens are employed to provide services at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) at Lombrum – 865 of these PNG citizens are from Manus.
  • Services at the Lombrum centre are delivered by Transfield Services and International Health and Medical Services (IHMS)
  • all service providers are required to maximise employment of PNG citizens wherever possible.
  • 64 percent of all Service Provider staff employed at the centre are PNG citizens.
  • Staff employed to carry out work at a RPC are paid wages commensurate with other locally available job opportunities
  • employees who travel from other parts of PNG may have their wages supplemented with an allowance for living away from home while working.
  • Service providers have worked closely with their PNG national staff to build capacity and provide opportunities to develop skills including:
  • first aid, advanced security training, including incident response and leadership training for supervisory and management roles.

Purchases of goods and services

  •  Currently 22 PNG companies, including seven Manus companies, have a direct business involvement providing goods and services to the RPC, with an average worth of PGK 2.7 million per week.
  •  Examples of companies providing goods and services to the RPC include: Total Food Network Ltd, Islands Petroleum Limited, Interoil Products Limited, Panariu Building Maintenance, Spic N Span, Chauka Car Rentals, Agility Limited, Kingfisher Hire Cabs, Juromo Wholesale, Pest Care Limited, Island Fresh Product, Hipowa Lae Limited, Manus Transport And Logistics, Air Niugini Ltd, Loda Security and Tactical Security International.

Investment in infrastructure

  • Work is underway in Manus to:
  •  expand and upgrade the Lombrum RPC including associated infrastructure and permanent staff accommodation; and
  •  to construct refugee accommodation facilities at East Lorengau.
  •  Decmil Australia has been engaged as the Managing Contractor for these works.
  •  Expressions of Interest (EOI) for subcontract packages and general labour can be emailed to:
  •  infrastructure works: [email protected]
  •  provision of services: [email protected]
  • Sub-contractors who submit an EOI and are interested in tendering are required to provide a plan to maximise local labour workforce engagement across the project; develop a training program to up-skill the capabilities of the local workforce to provide a legacy once the project is complete.

Lombrum construction project

  •  There are 241 persons working on the Lombrum project. Of these, 72 employees are from Manus. There are an additional 87 PNG citizens employed on the project.
  •  There have been 33 subcontract packages awarded on the Lombrum project. Of these 12 have been awarded to PNG companies.
  •  There are nine trade packages to commence at the Lombrum construction project in the next two months. Six tenders are currently under review and a further two are awaiting approval.
  •  A further seven trade packages are yet to be tendered on the Lombrum construction project. These packages include:

 - security patrol services
 - fencing
 - landscaping
 - shade structure
 - outdoor furniture
 - signage
 - racking and shelving

  •  Those wishing to tender for these packages should forward an EOI to [email protected]

East Lorengau construction project

  •  There are 157 workers employed on the East Lorengau project on Manus. Of these, 91 employees are from Manus. There are an additional 29 PNG citizens employed on the project.
  •  There have been 53 subcontract packages awarded on the East Lorengau project. Of these 33 have been awarded to PNG companies.
  •  There are seven trade packages to commence at the East Lorengau construction project in the next two months. One tender is currently under review and a further one is awaiting approval.
  •  The trade package for the final clean-up of the construction site is still to be tendered. Those wishing to tender for this package should forward an EOI to [email protected]

REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE ON MANUS: ECONOMIC AND AID UPDATE
FACT SHEET 2 – DEFENCE COOPERATION
AS AT 31 JULY 2014
  • Under the Defence Cooperation Program, the Australian Defence Force Exercise Halivim Poroman has refurbished married quarters at the Lombrum Naval Base. The project, valued at over PGK 2.5 million, used contractors, supplies and equipment from PNG for the work which was completed in December 2013.
  •  The Defence Cooperation Program will refurbish the Lombrum Navy Base medical facility in early 2015. Valued at approximately PGK1.5 million, Design and Planning for the upgrade will commence in September 2014.
  •  The Australian Government is building 42 new married quarters on Lombrum Navy Base in the area known as Upper Paradise. These new married quarters will be for PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) sailors and their families and construction is programmed to commence in the second half of 2014.
  •  The Australian Government is funding upgrades to the Lombrum Naval Base including repair and grading of roads, repair of the water supply, repair of power, upgrade to sewerage systems, new warehousing and erection of fencing.
  •  The renovation of existing buildings at the Lombrum Naval Base and the building of new structures in support of the Regional Processing Centre will provide the PNGDF with infrastructure that will benefit the base and the Defence Force over the long-term.
  •  The Australian Government is upgrading the ablution blocks at the Lombrum Navy Base School (see Fact Sheet 3 for further details).
  •  Australia has supplied and maintained four patrol boats in Manus. These boats support PNGDF in conducting patrol activities in support of fisheries and customs
  •  four Australian Naval personnel are posted to PNG to support this capacity.
  •  training teams from the Royal Australian Navy, commencing in the second half of 2014, will assist the PNGDF Maritime Element in patrolling PNG waters.

REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE ON MANUS: ECONOMIC AND AID UPDATE
FACT SHEET 3 – ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO MANUS
AS AT 31 JULY 2014
  • The Australian Government, PNG Government and the Manus Provincial Government jointly decided that Australia’s additional support to Manus, valued at $26 million, would be used for the following projects.

Lorengau Hospital

  • Works on the dental clinic have been completed and the clinic reopened in February 2014.
  •  A range of medical and dental equipment has been delivered and installed at a cost of $400,000. The equipment included:
  •  a new digital dental X-ray device – a first for a PNG public dental clinic – which replaces the need for film processing;
  •  a machine to test blood samples quickly; and
  •  an incubator for premature infants or infants in intensive care.
  •  Refurbishment and maintenance to existing ablution blocks at the hospital will commence in July 2014.
  •  Lorengau Hospital Master Plan has been finalised.
  •  Australia will provide assistance for staff housing, including rehabilitation of existing housing. The design phase for the new housing will commence in August 2014.

Education

  • Assistance includes infrastructure school kits for an additional 10 schools (doubling the pre-existing commitment), which include construction of a double classroom, an administration office, teacher house and ablution block. The schools were selected by the Manus Provincial Division of Education, in consultation with the National Department of Education.
  •  Schools kits are being constructed at 20 sites in Manus: Bipi, M’buke, Baso, N’dilou, N’yada, Harangan, Lau, Pateku, Metyih, Mouklen, N’drehet, Lundret, Likum, Metepong, Nohang, Waratalai, Andra, Lomoei, Aua and Wuvulu.
  •  These school kits are being constructed by a PNG company (Pacific Development Contractors) following an international tender process. Local communities participated in the construction of the schools.

Road and bridge maintenance and rehabilitation works

  •  Australia is funding three priority road and bridge projects. Australia is working with the PNG Department of Works (DoW) and the provincial government on these projects.
  •  rehabilitation of the Loniu and Nuwok bridges (between Momote and Lorengau);
  •  maintenance and rehabilitation including some resealing and earthworks to enhance resilience to flooding of the Lorengau – Momote road; and
  •  rehabilitation of the roads and drains around the Lorengau market square.
  •  An international tender for these works was advertised on 30 May and closed on 29 July.
  •  Key dates are:
  • April 2014 – design and scoping completed and report submitted
  •  May – September 2014 – international tender process
  •  September 2014 – contract awarded for road and bridge works
  •  November 2014 – estimated start date of construction
  •  December 2015 – practical completion of works.
  •  A DoW Senior Bridge Engineer Consultant (funded under Australia’s Transport Sector Support Program) inspected Lolaki Bridge on 5 August following concerns raised by Decmil (note: this bridge is not part of Australia’s agreed package of support). The engineer’s preliminary assessment is that the bridge can support a 44 tonne load. A full report will be issued by the end of August.

Lorengau Market upgrade and refurbishment

  •  Australia is working with the Manus Provincial Government through the Manus Provincial Technical Services Division (PTSD) on the Lorengau Market upgrade and refurbishment.
  •  Minor works (Phase 1) commenced in May and are anticipated to be completed by the end of August. This includes: demolition of the main roof and structures (100 percent complete); re-alignment and maintenance of fencing (95 percent complete); construction of a new female toilet (100 percent complete); and maintenance of existing toilets (expected to be complete by the end of October).
  •  Major works (Phase 2) preparations have commenced. The main roof and structural material are being fabricated in Lae and will be ready by the end of August. The material will then be shipped to Manus and delivered on-site in September. Construction will begin in September and is expected to be completed by December.
  •  The Lorengau Urban Local Level Government has set up temporary market sites in seven wards around Lorengau to assist local vendors while the main market is closed for renovation.

Community grants

  • The Australian Government is working with the Community Development Division of the Provincial Administration on Manus youth activities, in line with the Manus Provincial Youth Policy (2012-16). This work is underpinned by an MOU with the Manus Provincial Administration signed in November 2013.
  •  The activities focus on supporting sport, income generation and livelihood opportunities for at risk youth, vulnerable women and children, and communities adapting to climate change.
  •  In June and July 2014 contracts were finalised for three advisers to assist with the implementation of community activities as follows: a sports and recreation adviser, an income generation adviser, and a drug and alcohol awareness adviser.
  •  The following 16 sports associations received funding grants of PGK 13,000 to PGK 19,900 for sporting activities in Manus:
  •  Manus Amateur Athletics Association, Manus Amateur Basketball Assocation, Manus Body Building Association, Manus Amateur Boxing Association, Manus Amateur Swimming Association, Manus Amateur Volleyball Association, Manus Darts Association, Manus Hockey Association, Manus Karate Association, Manus Netball Association, Manus Para Sports Association, Manus School Sports Association, Manus Table Tennis Association, Manus Triathlon Association, Manus Soccer Association and Manus Va’a Sport Association (Canoe).
  • These funds supported the associations prepare for the Manus Games in July and will assist in preparations for the PNG Games in November 2014.
  •  In addition, 13 local sports facilities for athletics, basketball, hockey, netball, soccer and volleyball will be upgraded through funding grants of PGK 4,000 to PGK 10,000.
  •  In August the sports and recreation adviser will undertake a scoping exercise that will include an assessment of the condition of existing sports facilities.
  •  The Australian Government will provide support to increase the capacity of the Manus Provincial Administration to support community development and to enable the Community Development Division to house expanded staff numbers.
  •  In May 2014 the Manus Provincial Government endorsed plans for Australian Government assistance to expand and upgrade the offices of the Community Development Division at Sahat Hall.
  •  In August 2014 technical drawings for Sahat Hall office space will be provided to Manus Technical Services Division for final approval.

Assistance on top of original $26 million commitment to Manus
Lorengau Police Station

  • The Australian Government has agreed to rebuild the Lorengau Police Station under the PNG-Australia Law and Justice Transition Program (estimated to be approximately $2.5 million) and in support of the PNG Government’s police modernisation program.
  •  This assistance for the police station is on top of the additional support package to Manus valued at $26 million.
  •  Key dates:
  •  June – August 2014 – tender process for design and supervision (tenders closed on 25 July and a contract will be awarded by the end of August)
  •  September – December 2014 – design and scoping undertaken
  •  January – April 2015 – construction tender process
  •  May 2015 – contractor mobilisation
  •  June 2015 - construction scheduled to commence
  •  December 2016 – police station scheduled for completion.

Private sector skills

  • The Australian Government is funding workshops in Manus to support the development of business skills.
  •  The workshop series “Supporting Manusians get business opportunities” was launched in Manus on 15-16 July 2014. Over 190 participants attended (63 percent women).
  •  This assistance is on top of the $26 million additional aid package for Manus.
  •  Additional workshops are planned for the second half of this year and details will be announced in the near future.

Lombrum Naval Base Primary School

  • The Australian Government will build new ablution blocks and water tanks at the Lombrum Naval Base Primary School.
  •  This assistance for the Lombrum Naval Base Primary School is on top of the additional support package to Manus valued at $26 million.
  •  The scope and design phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in late August. This is being undertaken by a PNG company, Tulait Consulting Architects.
  •  The next stage of the project is an international tender for construction works, expected to be released in September. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early 2015.

REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE ON MANUS: ECONOMIC AND AID UPDATE
FACT SHEET 4 – EXISTING MANUS PROVINCE AID PACKAGE
AS AT 31 JULY 2014

Pre-existing aid to Manus Province

  • The Australian Government’s Development Additional Assistance Package to Manus (see Fact Sheet 3) is in addition to Australia’s existing support under the Partnership for Development to Manus Province (approximately $14 million over 2012-15) Australia’s existing aid package to Manus includes:
  • Education (approximately $3.5 million)
  •  Infrastructure kits for 10 schools (expected to be completed in 2014).
  •  Delivery of 28,107 primary school textbooks and 1,456 secondary school textbooks (delivered in 2011-2012).
  •  School fee subsidies for elementary schools in 2012 and 2013, benefitting more than 5,000 children in over 110 schools.

Health (approximately $3.5 million)

  •  Purchase and distribution of 100 per cent medical supply kits to 62 aid posts, 12 health centres and the Lorengau Hospital.
  •  Procurement and distribution of emergency obstetric care medical kits to all 12 health centres and the Lorengau Hospital.
  •  The awarding of seven Australian Awards Scholarships for study in PNG in the fields of midwifery, nursing and community health work (as at July 2014).
  •  Funding the construction, procurement of equipment and staff training for a sexual and reproductive health clinic in Lorengau.

Transport infrastructure (approximately $2.1 million)

  • Replacement and upgrading of radio navigation aids at Momote Airport by Australia’s Transport Sector Support Program and PNG Air Services Ltd.

Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (approximately $2.9 million)

  • Strengthening the capacity of communities in Manus to adapt to climate change (approximately $1.2 million).
  •  Improving community capacity to sustainably manage forestry and natural resources (approximately $1.7 million).

Sub-national Program (in 2013 approximately $0.9 million)

  • Training and support for improved capacity of the administrations at the sub-national levels of government.

Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen (approximately $0.4 million)
There are 11 SPSN small grants allocated for Manus:

1. Dungou Masih Community: water sanitation and hygiene;

2. Liwliw Elementary School: classroom;

3. Manus Disability Sports Association: Personnel Viability Training for people with disabilities;

4. Mbunai Primary School: double classroom;

5. Parioi Perelik Ward 4: elementary classroom;

6. Pihi Tetidu Womens Group: Pihi Wards resource centre;

7. Likum Ward Development Committee: CHW house and aid post;

8. Los Negros LLG: Locha LLG Centre aid post;

9. Ndrehet Ward Development Committee: Khehek water supply sanitation and hygiene;

10. Pihi Kali Association: Pihi Kali village banking; and

11. Pihing Butjou Womens Group: Water supply and sanitation.

REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE ON MANUS: ECONOMIC AND AID UPDATE
FACT SHEET 5 – BIBBY PROGRESS STAFF ACCOMODATION
AS AT 31 JULY 2014
  • Due to a lack of accommodation, the Australian Government has chartered the Bibby Progress accommodation barge to meet staffing requirements. This is an interim arrangement while new staff accommodation is being constructed
  •  The current lease extends until 25 September 2014. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection is negotiating a further lease extension of two months.
  •  Rooms on the Bibby Progress accommodate up to five people. The Bibby Progress can currently accommodate up to 635 staff
  •  there are insufficient accommodation facilities in Manus to house these staff.
  •  Facilities on the Bibby Progress include central kitchen and dining, recreation, laundry and ensuite accommodation. The Bibby Progress is self-reliant, meeting all its own power, water and waste treatment needs.