Amendment of handling system at ports to break monopoly: minister

Ports’ board issues several resolutions

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 14: Minister of State for Housing Affairs Jenan Boushahri affirmed that 10 amendments have been included in the handling system since 2001 to improve services and performance as a way of achieving desirable results, reports Al-Qabas daily.

Responding to a question asked by MP Khalid Al-Shatti concerning the interchange being used at Kuwait Ports Authority as well as procedures carried out by the ports’ board of directors, she explained that the board issued several resolutions to ensure transparency in the registration processes and prevent monopoly in the handling system.

She pointed out that resolutions include the introduction of container handling in accordance with a specific system to break the monopoly and expand the work area for contractors, in addition to the system of public bidding between companies wishing to carry out the handling in ports affiliated to the authority in order to achieve equal opportunities and expand the rule of competition among the qualified, which will bring massive financial return for the institution.

Minister Boushahri said the authority has appointed an accountant to carry out revenue collection and supervise the issuance of invoices for fees in the Container Terminal Department at Shuaiba, which is subject to scrutiny by the Financial Department under the supervision of the competent authorities in an effort to tighten control and safeguard public money.