By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Customs officials in Port Moresby will be stepping up their security checks using mobile scanning machines.
These scanning vehicles, which were given by the Chinese government, will be put to use during the arrival of world leaders and their delegates for the APEC Leaders’ Summit next month.
The mobile scanners are the first of its kind for Papua New Guinea Customs.
Created to detect illegal substances including drugs and illicit items, these mobile scanners are predicted to boost security checks at the airports and wharves.
“We were able to control the borders as well, and those who continue to bring illicit were put on notice and that is one good thing that was able to improve our risk profile management of the business,
We hope that what we have done has been recognized by the government.” said Customs PNG Chief Commissioner, Ray Paul.
The Chinese government has assisted the PNG government in a massive way to prepare Port Moresby for the APEC Leader’s Summit.
The arrival of these scanners now places PNG customs at a better position to carry out such an important task when PNG welcomes close to 15,000 international delegates in November.
National Planning Minister, Richard Maru has welcomed the continuous support by the Chinese Government and appreciates the work Customs Officials have put in, to ensuing such an important machine arrives on time for the Leader’s Week.
”The road to securing the three mobile units have not been easy because when we first requested that at National Planning, we were told that the entire budget for APEC for China has been used up.”
“So today (October 19) I want to place on record, my sincere appreciation the (Chinese) Ambassador who worked behind the scene, tirelessly to make sure we were able to secure funding for the three units,” said Minister Maru.
Because of the technology involved, technicians from Nutech, the company that manufactures these mobile scanners, will be training PNG Customs officials on how to use such machines.
Nutech is a company that specialises in developing high technology for inspections, used for custom and border protection, especially to find drugs, weapons and explosives.
Meanwhile, there are plans to have the scanners moved to Lae, and Vanimo after the APEC Leaders’ week.
