Enforcement structures in place at the Solomon Ports Authority (SIPA) to detect and combat illicit trade.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, recently congratulated the Chairman and the CEO of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority for their vision that underpinned their investment in providing new x-ray equipment that is likely to provide huge benefits to customs and agricultural quarantine and biosecurity in the Solomons.
The PM made his remarks on Monday during the commissioning of the new X-ray equipment for the Solomon Islands Ports Authority...
The X-ray technology features automatic alert systems to detect organic material which can provide high levels of detailed information to customs and biosecurity officials.
The equipment will enable SIPA and the Customs Division of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) to undertake non-intrusive inspection of cargo imports and exports packed in shipping containers to detect cargo that falls under a “high risk” classification at the Honiara International sea port.
The PM also mentioned that the x-ray equipment would further also maximise security and revenue collection through the use of unobtrusive examination technology.
One of the positive benefits is that the new technology will also acts as a deterrent to importers or exporters who may attempt to breach the country’s laws and regulations.
I, too, would wish to extend appreciation to SIPA for acquiring the advanced technology to be used at the Solomon’s International sea port.
It is known today that more than 420 million containers move around the globe by sea every year, transporting 90 per cent of the world's cargo. Most carry legitimate goods, but some are used to smuggle drugs, weapons and even people. The situation poses a very real and serious threat to the security of the international trade supply chain that is critical for sustainable development.
A Container Control Programme, launched in 2003, was developed jointly by the UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to assist Governments to create sustainable enforcement structures in selected sea ports in order to minimize the risk of shipping containers being exploited for illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other forms of black market activity. Such resources are particularly relevant for local officials in port towns and cities and it is very pleasing to know that the Solomon Islands has now in place the enforcement structures the UNODC and the WCO had sought to advice were necessary.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short.
