The Acting Chief Migration Officer, Mr Solomon Kantha, said in a statement for all refugees and failed asylum seekers to urgently vacate the Lombrum Detention Centre for their Lorengau Accommodation on Manus Island.
This is after the Court ruling that dismissed the application by a Mr Behrous Boochani and lawyer representing him, Ben Lomai, to delay the decommissioning process and restore services at Manus Refugee Processing Centre.
“They no longer have a legal basis to remain at the decommissioned facility,” Kantha said.
Mr Kantha had resounded the comments from the Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, MP that the decommissioning has gone through an advanced phase and basic cannot be reinstated.
“The PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority has sent Provincial Health Inspectors into the decommissioned facility yesterday to make an assessment which they are going to likely declare the place uninhabitable for anyone to reside as there are no longer access to basic services, water and waste and garbage is piling that is posing serious risks of exposure to contagious diseases such as dysentery and cholera,
“The residents must move immediately as the PNGICSA and authorities is assessing the situation and may take steps to move them for the interest of all residents including staff who are within the vicinity that may also be exposed to contagious diseases as a result of wastes pilling up from residents refusing to move”.
“All services including security and medical services are available at the new accommodation sites and there is no reason to remain at Lombrum,” said Mr Kantha.
Source: Media Statement
