This country’s borders are just a bit safer, and the ability to do business also became a bit easier.
That’s the word from Minister of Finance Colm Imbert as he cut the ribbon for four mobile scanners to be used at the country’s ports.
Minister Imbert said the Government has taken a very proactive approach to strengthen national security operations, enhance the ease of doing business, and ensure efficiency in port operations with the acquisition of its most recent multimillion-dollar purchase of high-tech equipment.
“The Ministry of Finance contracted Sectus Technologies of Canada to supply, deliver, install, and commission four large-scale, non-intrusive inspection, high/medium energy mobile X-ray scanners, a long name, for the Customs and Excise Division. These scanners were assembled in Paris, France for SMITS Detection Group and purchased at a cost of US$12.9 million.”
Two of the scanners will be used by the Port of Port of Spain and the others at the Port of Point Lisas.
Minister Imbert also allayed health concerns of the workers.
“We have also collaborated with the Ministry of Health, that was an issue, to ensure that the necessary health and safety protocols associated with the operations of the scanners are implemented. This collaboration will involve the establishment of a Radiation Safety Committee for oversight of the Standing Operating Procedures for functional radiation protection measures.”
Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, said the new scanners will make the country more competitive on the international market.
“Right now, the port scans about 25% of the containers that pass through the port. These two new scanners will allow us to scan up to 75% of the containers. That will significantly reduce the waiting time for the shippers and the customers of the port.”
The state-of-the-art mobile container scanners offer high-resolution imaging, real-time analysis, and flexible deployment capabilities.