Manus locals demand asylum work

THE Immigration Department is telling its contractors at the detention centre there they should use local providers and labour.

THE Immigration Department, in a bid to stem protests from Manus Island residents, is telling its contractors at the asylum detention centre there they should use local providers and labour when possible.

Landowners have blocked the centre's access to the rubbish tip and threatened further action if business and jobs don't go to locals.

Ron Knight, one of two MPs for Manus Island, said: "Our people demand 100 per cent Manus engagement. If local companies lack capacity, then they can joint-venture with mainland PNG companies. Right now, there is no Manus company engaged in any aspect whatsoever. This issue is about fairness."

The Australian government held briefings for businesses in Port Moresby, Lae and Manus last week.

Chey Scovell, chief executive of the PNG Manufacturing Council, said while Australian officials had "whisked through several centres telling us that we can express interest in providing the range of materials, goods and services which will be required", there was no requirement for any contracts to be given to PNG companies.

Canberra has signed a $38 million deal with a Saudi Arabian company, Red Sea Housing Services, to build accommodation.

A DIAC spokesman said the department had instructed its contractors to advertise "future procurement of trade packages and other significant opportunities" in the PNG media.