Knight challenges Govt on asylum seekers waste dumping

​Manus Open MP Ronny Knight is calling on the Department of Environment to explain how a permit was given to Transfield international to dump waste from the asylum seeker processing centre on land that belongs to the State.

Knight says the company should set up a proper incinerator to get rid of its waste.

Waste from the processing centre is being buried in holes dug on a piece of land at the Salami area of Manus.

A man who occupies the land has given permission for the company to dump waste there.

Knight says waste such as oil from vehicles, grease traps, sewage, food and many others are being dumped there.

He believes over time the waste dumped will contaminate water sources for people in the area.

Knight says although an inspection was carried out by the provincial environment office, nothing was done. Instead they awarded the company a permit to dump its waste.

“How did they give them a permit, they need to explain,” he said.

Knight says the government must look into these issues and fix them up or they will have to remove the processing centre.

Author: 
Joy Kisselpar