In a joint effort by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue and the Samoa Ports Authority, the Apia port has been improved with a new cargo X-Ray Scanner, which was dedicated this week along with a new facility to house it. The X-ray scanner will address and hopefully resolve ongoing challenges faced by Samoa with the importation of contraband such as illegal drugs and firearms into the country.
This week, the facility housing the X-Ray Scanner was officially opened. Ministry of Customs and Revenue will be able to utilise the scanner for their daily operations.
In an interview with media in March 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio mentioned that the procurement of the scanner was not an easy feat; it took about two years.
The contract, approved by the government in June 2022, was awarded to the Chinese firm UCTECH Limited at a cost of SAT$9.5 million. These funds were provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through its Enhancing Safety, Security, and Sustainability of Apia Port Project.
In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio expressed the government’s and Samoa’s heartfelt gratitude and excitement for this initiative. “The safety and security of the Samoan people are the top priorities of the Ministry, which is why we insisted on having a scanner to inspect all imported containers. This machine will fulfill the Ministry of Customs and Revenue’s Vision and Long-Range Vision. The official opening of these two developments is a positive step for our Ministry and Samoa as this is the first scanner capable of inspecting containers without being unloaded.”
“Despite the high costs, the desire to obtain this machine for the management of customs duties and responsibilities to protect our nation has remained strong. We are continually grateful to the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) for their ongoing support in developing Samoa’s economy, particularly in the protection and safety of our country from illegal weapons and drugs,” Tuala continued.
The scanner is expected to inspect shipping containers arriving at the Apia port without the need to unload them. It will provide high-resolution X-ray images that distinguish between organic and inorganic materials, enhancing security by detecting contraband such as illegal drugs and weapons. The non-intrusive inspection will significantly reduce the time and labour required, improving the efficiency of port operations.
