Duke: We got no MOU to approve use of port scanners

On Monday, Hinds as chairman of the Joint Select Committee on National Security told a JSC news conference, out of all representative unions at the port, the PSA had not signed an MOU to approve the scanners as the union reportedly had health and safety concerns which, Hinds said, were in fact scotched by experts from the World Health Organisation and the International Atomic Agency.

Yesterday Duke gave a differing account.

“We were appalled to hear that we had not signed off on such documents,” he told Newsday.

Duke said, if asked for his approval, he would certainly consider it. However he said he first wanted to have all relevant information presented to him so as to ascertain if the scanners pose a danger. “We want to see all the information they have. We want full transparency.” Duke said he had not seen the WHO and IAA opinions.

“The PSA is willing to work with the Port Authority and the Customs Division, but workers’ health comes first.”