KOROR (Palau Horizon) – The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Commerce and Industries will also propose the termination of the security services at the seaport.
Minister Jackson Ngiraingas in an interview said that this is also being mulled by the ministry after announcing earlier that there should be a transition from private security screening companies and instead such services can be provided by the Division of Airport Security under the Bureau of Aviation.
Ngiraingas clarified that the transition plan has nothing to do with politics.
Former President Kuniwo Nakamura operates Basco which provides screening at the airport and also Belau Transfer security services at the seaport.
“The national government feels that there is a private screening company and their main interest is commercial, but the government interest is safety, security and liability,” Ngiraingas said.
Nakamura said BASCO has been successful in training Palauans to conduct the screening.
He said that if the company is not meeting the standards then they should have been made aware of it.
Nakamura said tha the government nor the ministry made any oral or written notice to the company about the planned transition.
“We would like to continue to work as a team,” Nakamura said.
“This is a serious business, we are committed to give the best services,” Nakamura said.
Ngiraingas for his part said that the matter is still being studied and would have wanted to implement the plan by September.
He however said that the plan may be pushed back because of the controversy that arose from the matter.
Ngiraingas clarified that the government is not questioning BASCO’s capability or competence in providing security screening services at the airport and seaport, but explained that his ministry is the arm of the government that should ensure that the country’s point of entries’ are secure and safe.
Nakamura said that Palau National Aviation Administration is the proper authority that oversees their work.
He said that as far as they are concerned they have been providing the “highest level of security” to Palau and that their staff is well-trained for the job. He added that they have complied with international standards.
Nakamura added that they were commissioned by the airlines as private screeners not by the government.
Ngiraingas however said the government is still responsible in establishing safety and security programs and that national security is of utmost importance.
Basco, under a presidential directive issued by then President Tommy Remengesau Jr. in 1998, granted the company the exclusive right to provide passenger and baggage security screening services at the airport for a period of 10 years.
Ngiraingas said this directive can be superseded by another directive.
He added that the government can hire the trained personnel of BASCO when the transition is completed.
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