The internal revenue for Manus Province will drop from K25 million to K1.5m as a result of the closure of the asylum centre.
Minister for Planning Richard Maru clarified this in Parliament on Wednesday.
He was responding to Governor Charlie Benjamin’s questions on how the Government will help the people of Manus, who have benefitted from the asylum centre in terms of employment.
Maru said the Government has committed to help by creating job opportunities.
He also admitted that SMEs in the province will be greatly affected after the closure.
He added that the Manus Provincial Government should take the lead in helping its people rather than depending only on the Government.
Maru assured the Governor that the Government will have an open dialogue with the provincial administration to help the people.