$17m X-ray Technology Ensures Safe, Secure Border

Given Fiji’s location as the hub of the South Pacific, airport and harbour security are vital.

The commissioning of the $17m non-intrusive inspection X-ray technology at the Port of Suva on Wednesday is a timely boost for Fiji’s border security.

Again, the Chinese Government has stepped in and continues to build on a mutually beneficial co-operation with Fiji under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Given Fiji’s location as the hub of the South Pacific, airport and harbour security are vital.

The support means we’re adding an X-ray machine for mobile containers and vehicles, a pallet X-ray machine and four sets of CT X-rays, along with spare parts and seven technicians to help run the equipment.

When Prime Minister

Voreqe Bainimarama officially commissioned the equipment, he did not mince his words about those who may already be taking advantage of loopholes in the system or those intending to do so.

There is no hiding when these X-ray machines scan a container of goods imported from overseas.

If an importer lies about what he/she is expecting, the X-ray machine will quickly pick this up.

This, no doubt, will improve efficiency at the Port of Suva. Previously, Fiji Revenue and Custom Service officers would inspect containers individually.

Now the clearance will be more accurate and faster, with a reduction of human error.

The use of this technology puts Fiji on par with the rest of the world.

In the United States of America for instance, non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology enables U.S. Customs and Border Protection to detect contraband such as narcotics and weapons and materials that pose potential nuclear and radiological threats.

In late February, it was reported that US Customs and Border Patrol seized 115 kilograms of deadly fentanyl, one of the largest-ever seizures of a drug blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the US.

The fentanyl, along with 179kg of methamphetamine, was discovered in a tractor-trailer loaded with produce crossing into the United States from Mexico at the official Nogales port crossing.

It was the “non-intrusive inspection” that discovered secret compartments in the trailer.

Upon further inspection, Border Patrol dogs sniffed out the drugs.

But for Fiji, the message from Prime Minister Bainimarama is clear: “If anyone comes to our country looking to sell hard drugs or use Fiji as a transit point to our neighbours, they should be prepared to extend their stay in Fiji indefinitely.”