The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service has confirmed that the scanning machines for goods coming at the ports are not being fully utilized due to health and radiation concerns.
While responding to questions by Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru during the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic hearing on FRCS 2023–2024 annual report, FRCS Director Border Shelini Kumar says they scan based on their risk management and profiling, as and when required.
She says they have mostly had to carry out these scans after 5pm, when port activities at Lautoka are at a minimum, because there are currently concerns relating to health and radiation issues.
However, she confirms they are working on a container examination facility project with the Australian Border Force.
Kumar says there will be two facilities, one in Suva and one in Lautoka, which will be fully fledged.
The Director says a development plan is already underway and these facilities will be established soon, allowing all health protocols, requirements, cargo transitions, risks and related factors to be properly analysed before the facilities become operational.
She also says they already have clearance certificates from the Ministry of Health confirming that the machines are not harmful to individuals.
However, Kumar says due diligence measures have been put in place following concerns raised about the safety of people working around them.
