MP concerns over illegal weapons entry as X-Ray Scanner arrives

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 19 March 2024: The long-awaited X-Ray Scanner Unit for the Ministry of Customs has arrived and dispatched from the Apia port on Monday.

However, in parliament yesterday, Member of Parliament for Safata 2, Leaana Ronnie Posini questioned the delay of the machine’s arrival.

Leaana believes more illegal weapons have found their way into the country due to the absence of an x-ray scanner to monitor the inward channel of such weapons.

He cited the drive by shooting at Moamoa last week that seriously injured a young man who was walking along the road and he believed the gun used in that incident was illegally brought into the country.

The Minister for Customs who is also the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio then informed the MP and Parliament of that the X-ray scanner is now on island and will soon be in operation.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the x-ray will enhance Apia Ports Security and Sustainability and the border security commitments of the Ministry of Customs.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Customs, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio was at the Matautu wharf to witness the arrival of the equipment and was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer, representatives of the Nuctech Company from China, managers and officers of the Ministry when the consignment was discharged from the vessel.

The equipment is now in storage to await the completion of the Customs warehouse which will be utilized for the operations of the x-ray scanner. The construction is scheduled to be completed in May 2024 and the scanner will be launched as soon as installation, training and commissioning is completed.