The Minister for Customs and Revenue has appealed to all State agencies involved in the Matautu port project to prioritise a warehouse for the container cargo x-ray scanner. 

Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, told the Parliament that his Ministry is desperate to have the x-scanner installed in the country to assist them with their border security work. 

There has been a delay in bringing and setting up the mobile x-ray truck at the Matautu International Port and it is unlikely to arrive this month as previously announced by the Minister. This is because the construction of a warehouse to house the machine is yet to commence. 

According to the Minister, they are considering asking those involved in the project, if they can start building the warehouse first so the scanner can finally be brought in.  

"We can't bring it in yet unless we build the warehouse to house the technology," Tuala said. 

The Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai had already informed the House that the delay in building the warehouse for the scanner is due to they not being informed of the scanner's specifications.

"We have to know what kind of machine, whether it's a floor-mounted x-ray machine or a mobile x-ray truck," Olo said. "So we need to confirm that before we can proceed with the construction of the warehouse."

The contract for the scanner was approved by the Cabinet last year with a 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. 

"The contract was signed with Nuctech Company Limited on 27 October 2022. Delivery is to be timed with completion of the x-ray scanner building at the Port, which is still under construction.”

In an interview with the Samoa Observer in March of this year, Tuala said the scanner was scheduled to arrive in Samoa in July this year, but the construction of a warehouse to house the technology will take longer.

Members of Parliament raised concerns about the increase in the number of illicit drugs, guns and crimes in Samoa and urged the Government to bring in the scanner to help identify how drugs are imported into the country.