Container scan unavailable at any Maldives port: Audit
No measures were taken for the safety of the workers; containers are lifted over people's heads while they work in the checkpoint area.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The Performance Audit Report on the Clearance of Goods Imported by Sea has revealed that no container scanning facility is available at any port of entry in the country.
The audit report on whether Maldives' seaports have the necessary facilities and laws and regulations to inspect imports by sea was released on Tuesday.
The audit noted that no container scanning facility has been installed at any port importing goods by sea.
The report noted that many of the goods brought to Maldives by sea are not scanned, which facilitates the smuggling of prohibited substances and drugs.
In addition, occurrences where this could facilitate the import of some goods in containers without declaring it will result in loss of import duty and revenue.
The lack of goods scanning facilities is a challenge to prevent the import of prohibited items, the report said.
The report notes:
-
The scanning machines must be provided to customs by the port operator, according to regulations
-
However, in other countries of the world, such items are procured by customs
-
MPL is obliged under a general rule to procure the goods required to fulfil the legal responsibility of customs, so it has not been paid much heed to
-
MPL notes that no such investment has been made so far as the container scanner requires a huge expenditure
The report also noted that the seaports do not have the necessary facilities to enforce the general health safety regulations. The audit found that the ports did not have the necessary arrangements to identify and screen suspected cases of infectious diseases.
According to the audit, there was a need to make arrangements for the movement of such people from one place to another and to ensure temporary maintenance of vehicles and materials that may have been affected by germs are transported to other places.
In addition:
-
There are no adequate arrangements for storage of hazardous chemicals
-
In the event of a fire in such equipment, serious damage to people and equipment can be caused
The audit also found that there is insufficient space in the port for unloading and clearing goods. The audit found that there was little space to store containers after unloading them and there was no separate area for inspection of medical medicines and food items.
The audit also mentioned:
-
Food and medical drugs from refrigerated containers are inspected by cutting the containers and placing them in the sun. This can affect the quality of medicines and foods and cause them to become contaminated
-
No measures were taken for the safety of the workers; containers are lifted over people's heads while they work in the checkpoint area. Pickups and lorries for loading and carrying goods are also allowed to enter and leave the area. This is not safe for inspectors
The Audit Office report recommended the procurement of machinery and facilities to operate the port. The report recommended MPL to procure scanning machines in consultation with customs and other agencies.
The report also directed MPL to make adequate arrangements for storage of chemicals.
The report recommended the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) to take necessary measures to ensure the health of travellers and prevent the entry of infected people and goods into Maldives.
It has also been suggested that the port relocating projects should be completed soon to reduce congestion in Male commercial port.The audit office also advised MPL to set up facilities at the port, keeping in mind the growth rate of imports in the near future.
