Minister Weeks On New Customs X-Ray Facility
“We expect the facility to be completed by the end of February 2026,” Minister Of National Security Michael Weeks said as he provided an update on the progress of the new Customs X-Ray facility at the Hamilton Docks.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, the Minister said, “At this time, all necessary site preparations have been completed, and our team stands ready to move forward as soon as the new custom-made building arrives in Bermuda. We are expecting the arrival of the actual building structure by the end of January 2026.
“We expect the facility to be completed by the end of February 2026. Once the materials arrive, construction and outfitting will proceed immediately and we anticipate that the building will take three to four weeks to complete.
“I want to speak briefly about the X-ray machine that will operate in conjunction with this facility. This technology plays a vital role in our national security framework. The X-ray machine assists Customs officers in accurately targeting and examining goods and cargo. It enhances our ability to detect contraband, prohibited items, and potential threats, all while supporting the smooth flow of legitimate trade into Bermuda.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda about the developments in our efforts to enhance our border protection, specifically at the Hamilton Docks.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide an update on the progress of our new Customs X-Ray facility at the Hamilton Docks, on Front Street. This location is where the vast majority of commodities, shipments and containers flow into Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, to begin, I would like to address the current status of the new facility. At this time, all necessary site preparations have been completed, and our team stands ready to move forward as soon as the new custom-made building arrives in Bermuda. We are expecting the arrival of the actual building structure by the end of January 2026.
Mr. Speaker, we expect the facility to be completed by the end of February 2026. Once the materials arrive, construction and outfitting will proceed immediately and we anticipate that the building will take three [3] to four [4] weeks to complete.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to highlight what this new building will enable Customs to achieve. Our core operational processes will remain the same, but the facility itself will provide a much safer, more efficient, and more functional environment for our officers. It will better accommodate our equipment, streamline our workflow, and enhance the overall effectiveness of our operations.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand why this investment is necessary. The existing building has deteriorated significantly over time and no longer meets the standards required for safe and effective operations. A new structure is essential to ensure that our officers can continue to carry out their duties in a secure, functional, and properly equipped environment.
Mr. Speaker, finally, I want to speak briefly about the X-ray machine that will operate in conjunction with this facility. This technology plays a vital role in our national security framework. The X-ray machine assists Customs officers in accurately targeting and examining goods and cargo. It enhances our ability to detect contraband, prohibited items, and potential threats, all while supporting the smooth flow of legitimate trade into Bermuda.
Mr Speaker, given the fact that this port is a significant gateway for goods entering Bermuda, it is critical that those responsible for preventing the entry of illegal goods and contraband into our Country are performing their duties in a suitable and modern facility. We are pleased to note the progress being made to erect such a facility and we are certain that doing so will solidify our operations at the docks.
Mr. Speaker, in short, the new building, along with the enhanced technology that will be housed in it, represents an important and necessary step forward for Customs. Our ability to protect our borders, safeguard our officers, and continue to uphold the highest standards of national security will be greatly improved.
Mr Speaker, in closing, I invite the members of this Honourable House to join with me in commending the Collector of Customs and her diligent team for the execution of their duties at all of our ports.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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“The existing building has deteriorated significantly over time and no longer meets the standards required for safe and effective operations. A new structure is essential …”
For a minute there I was flashing back to the airport debate.
Will there be any opportunity for the public to be briefed and ask about this new building?
You can ask. My days of asking inconvenient questions and being threatened by “security” and told to leave are over.
The reason for asking question is not uncommon and can be very simple..
Many conversations will end in question time even around the kitchen table .
A lawyer who enters the court house will ask lots of question which may or not but will most likely win the cast.
Entrapment is playing foul.
A patient in the doctors office will ask many critical questions i is no uncommon for people to ask questions of Doctors and I get a sensible answer. I go in with a so called shopping list , to avoid my senior moment.
Do questions resolve an element of doubt ,does that not provide beneficial answers for every one, if a lecture is incomplete in notable substance or lacks substance.
Now what ?
People ask questions which usually starts with “WHY” for benefit of a better under standing.
i do no see any reason not to give an answer to a fair question of any Government ,so long as those questions receive a fair answer .
We do not ask questions unless information is being held back or ducks the issue, that is the down side of a legitimate conversation
Tell me how is progress to be made if clarity comes in a box with a lid on it .
Many inspirational speakers after a lecture ask for questions . even president Trump asks for questions because that is healthy , he will alway give a straight answer.
Mr Bloggs you may always ask of me questions , if i am worthy of a reply, i can alway say i don’t know the proper answer.
” The truth hurts but leis go on for ever “
PAC MAN, I made the mistake once of asking a question of an MP at a PLP town hall meeting. I was accosted by “security”, threatened by “security” and told to leave by “security”.
I left and I now know that this Bermudian is not welcome to ask meaningful questions.
And Government with their spectacular maintenance programme will maintain the building just like the one that stands there currently.