New Scanners For Ports in Trinidad and Tobago
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad and Tobago government said the first two high medium energy mobile X-ray scanners have arrived here to be used for inspection of both imports and exports.
The Ministry of Finance said that two other scanners are expected to arrive here by November 24, saying that the procurement of the four scanners was at a cost of US$12 million and include maintenance and technician training for Customs and Excise personnel.
The ministry said that in January this year, it signed a contract with the Canadian-based Sectus Technologies for the purchase of four scanners, which were built in and shipped from France allowing “trained operators to view the contents of loaded trucks, containers and vehicles.
“Its high-performance imagining is expected to play a significant role in improving national security by enhancing the capabilities of the Customs and Excise Division in detecting a wide range of contraband items including weapons.
“Since the scanners use high/medium-energy X-ray to penetrate materials, they can see through walls, containers, or vehicle parts to identify hidden objects that would otherwise be difficult to detect.”
The ministry said that in addition, the scanners will assist the Customs and Excise Division to “more quickly and efficiently scan and inspect vehicles, trucks, or shipping containers which would limit the need to unload or manually inspect items, thereby increasing throughput while still maintaining high security”.
It added that the two scanners that are currently in-country will be strategically deployed at the Port of Port-of-Spain and the Port of Point Lisas following a three week commissioning period which would involve, site acceptance testing and training.
The arrival of the scanners comes as the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) expressed concern over the continued disruptions at the Port of Port of Spain as workers there downed tools in support of their union’s call for better wages as well as health and safety concerns.
The T&T Chamber said that the worker walkout highlights labour and operational challenges, and it is urging key stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue for a swift resolution.
