By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, Samoa – 26 July 2024 – Samoa’s border security and protection against incoming illicit trade has been boosted with the Ministry of Customs and Revenue (MCR) launching the long awaited ST$62m Container X-Ray Scanner and Examination Facility at the Apia wharf last night.
The project was funded through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) grant under the Enhancing Safety Security & Sustainability (ESSSAP) Project Funding.
Speaking on behalf of ADB, Senior Country Officer, Tuala Maria Melei Tagiilima said the $62m project is part of the $72m Apia Port Enhancement Project which should be completed by 2026.
Funding for the project was approved by the ESSAP Board of Directors in August 2020.
The project is to improve the efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability of the Apia Sea Port which is a vital piece of infrastructure for Samoa’s economy.
In October 2022, the NucTech Company Ltd in China was contracted to supply a state of the art Container X-ray Scanner for MCR.
“Despite these delays, we are grateful for the structure with which the container x-ray scanner will be housed as well as the examination facility which is near completion,” Tuala said.
A radiation specialist is also engaged under ESSAP to conduct training of MCR staff on the use, data assessment, safe management and maintenance of the Container X-ray Scanner.
The scanner was officially opened by the Acting Prime Minister who is also the Minister responsible for Customs, Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio.
A radiation specialist is conducting training of MCR staff on the use, data assessment, safe management and maintenance of the Container X-ray Scanner.
Consistent public concern finally addressed
The Government and Ministry of Customs have been under public scrutiny from parliamentarians, religious leaders and the private sector on the delay in securing the Xray scanner.
“This project has been eagerly anticipated and Parliamentarians and the public have shared concern regarding threats posed by narcotics, firearms and contrabands that come into the country,” said Tuala.
Securing an X-Ray Scanner has been an ongoing project since the 2021 general election and has been in progress for several years as the ministry tried to secure funds to procure the machine.
“This initiative represents the Government’s response to the nations concern regarding the increasing challenges posed by illicit trade into shores, and the utmost commitment is to promote safety, freedom with a strong emphasis to our security,” said Tuala.
He said safeguarding security and prosperity of all Samoan’s remains a sole priority with MCR as controller of custom and border security.
“This project signifies our dedication to achieving our vision and mission as it also signifies a milestone for our Ministry and nation as it marks the debut of these projects in our order and custom operations,” he said.
Customs K9 Unit also works at the Examination Area of any suspicious goods identified.
The launch ended with a live demonstration of the whole process of how the Container X-Ray Scanner is used from scanning a container to the physical inspection of all the goods in the container.
If the through the scanning process suspicious goods are picked up from the data, then the container is moved to the examination area where officers will inspect the suspicious goods. This is also the area where the canine team is located if there would be suspicious goods such as narcotics.
Despite the state of the art machine and equipment, the demonstration encountered problems with the internet connections from the Container X-Ray Scanner to the Examination Facility where the guests were seated and watched the live demonstration in progress.
