StephensonTHE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica (SAJ), has thrown its full support behind the Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips' plan to tighten control over Jamaica's borders, especially the measures to stem the tide of drugs and guns coming in and going out, through the island's ports.
In a recent release to the media, the President of the Association, Grantley Stephenson, noted that the plan has the full backing of all law-abiding companies and workers in the Port Community, and indeed, the Association has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to strengthen access controls as well as surveillance. The President stressed that "the new plan will enhance the capability of the marine police and coast guard and this is a welcome development, considering how under funded and under resourced these two departments have been in the past."
"Members of the Association are also currently in the USA as part of a fact finding team assessing the various types of X-ray equipment which could be utilised in this war on drugs and guns, and we will certainly be supporting implementation once the right selection has been made," he added.
The introduction of closed circuit surveillance cameras by Kingston Wharves has been lauded, and the impending implementation on the Kingston Container Terminal it is felt, will also act as a major deterrent to the smugglers.
Mr. Stephenson noted that for the plan to work it will take the total co-operation of all players in the Port Community, especially all workers and the Association would be collaborating closely with the Port Authority to galvanise this level of support and co-operation, because it cannot be business as usual.
The SAJ president, who also chairs a Special Security Committee appointed by the Port Authority of Jamaica, praised the work of the narcotics police in the recent arrest of persons attempting to smuggle ganja in transhipment cargo, and stressed that with this renewed vigilance and the level of co-operation now being exhibited, the country has a fighting chance to win back its integrity from the criminals and smugglers who have held us hostage for far too long.
"With the US Government moving to certify Ports on the basis of their security systems," the President said, "The Minister's Plan and the resources to be allocated will help to ensure that Port Bustamante remains open for business in the foreseeable future."
The Association will also be supporting the work of Crime Stop in its efforts to gather intelligence to assist in this fight.
