In a recent oversight hearing conducted by the committee, concerns have been raised on the planned takeover, such as whether the Transportation Security Administration has questioned the capabilities of the Belau Airport Security Company (Basco) or whether it is illegal for the company to continue providing services at the airport.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce Jackson Ngiraingas in a letter said the issues raised by the Senate though important are not relevant to the takeover.
He said in the letter that Basco’s capabilities are not in question nor the issue on the takeover.
He reiterated that Palau “has the national safety and security to consider.”
In his letter he explained to the senators that it is not illegal for Basco to provide airports security screening.
He said that there is actually an opportunity for Basco to provide secondary arrangements directly with the airlines after the government operates the initial screening.
After Ngiraingas explained to the Senate about the move, President Johnson Toribiong stepped into the row between former President Kuniwo Nakamura and the minister by establishing a task force to look into the matter.
Ngiraingas would have wanted the takeover to be effective by the end of the month.
Toribiong’s task force report deadline is however set on Dec. 31.
The president said the issue has gotten personal.
Executive Order 286 appointed Vice President Kerai Mariur as member of the task force.
Joining Mariur are Chief of Staff Isaac Soaladaob, Shallum Etpison, Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil and Jose Ise, Acting Administrator of the Palau National Aviation Administration.
The task force is given until Dec. 31 to come up with a report.
Nakamura in a separate interview said he will wait for the task force’s report before he take any action on Ngiraingas latest letter to him.
Ngiraingas, prior to the task force’s formation has asked Nakamura to provide him a copy of investment report of Basco.
Nakamura is the president of the Belau Airport Security Company (Basco) which currently handles the airport screening.
The government through Ngiraingas said that it is serious in taking over and initiating the transition phase of transferring the passenger and baggage security screening services to the security division of the Bureau of Aviation.
Ngiraingas said Palau is taking a proactive measure in securing its airport facility.
