The arrival of a cargo X-ray scanner to screen containers imported to Samoa has been pushed back to early 2024 when the construction of a warehouse to house it is completed.

It has been more than a year since the Cabinet approved the awarding of a contract to a company to procure the scanner which local authorities hope will detect illegal drugs that are slipping into the country through the ports. 

The Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, Fonoti Talaitupu Taefu said the arrival date for the scanner is now set for early 2024.

“This will allow ample time for the completion of the construction works on the warehouse to be used for the scanner,” she said, in response to questions from the Samoa Observer.

The contract for the scanner was approved by the Cabinet in June 2022 with the Chinese firm Nuctech Limited winning the bid for the procurement of a USD$3.5 million (equivalent to SAT$9.5 million) scanner.

The container X-ray scanner is funded by the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) through its Enhancing Safety, Security, and Sustainability of Apia Port Project to boost border security through the screening of containers imported into Samoa.

According to the A.D.B. team in Samoa, the arrival of the new scanner will be timed to coincide with the completion of the new warehouse to house the new technology.  

In July this year the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio told the Parliament that his ministry is desperate to install the X-ray scanner to assist the authorities with their border security work. 

However, he said the delay in setting up the mobile X-ray facility at Matautu International Port is due to the construction of a warehouse to house the machine. 

The Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai also told the House that the delay in the construction of the warehouse is not having details of what the specifications of the scanner are to assist in the building.