Installation of a new X-ray scanner to detect contraband at Hamilton docks has been completed but it will not be operational until next January as work needs to be done on traffic access.The announcement was made by Minister of National Security Wayne Perinchief after the Shadow Minister Michael Dunkley highlighted concerns in the Senate that the project has yet to be completed.The original completion date was supposed to be April 2011.Sen Dunkley told the Upper House yesterday he feared that "nothing was being done" to complete the project, despite the pressing need to crack down on guns and drugs being imported in shipping containers.He urged Government to pull together with the Corporation of Hamilton to get the project completed. The two layers of Government have publicly argued in the past over funding for the project. Government said at budget time that the Corporation had "stepped back" from the project, resulting in an additional $4.5 million cost to the Ministry of National Security.Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling refuted the suggestion, saying the municipality is investing $2.8 million in the project. Government budgeted $3 million for this fiscal year for the completion of the long-awaited equipment. It will enable Customs officers to examine each container arriving on the docks without having to search them by hand.Giving an update after Sen Dunkley's comments yesterday, Mr Perinchief issued a statement saying: "This Government is committed to the interdiction of firearms, drugs and illicit goods being imported into the Island. HM Customs has now purchased and installed a specialised container X-ray scanning unit on the Hamilton docks but it is not yet operational as the civil works required to support the traffic flow and the examination of containers will commence in the first week of August."It is anticipated that the equipment will be fully operational by January 2012. In the interim, HM Customs has advised that training will be provided to all stakeholders involved in the movement of containers."He added: "I have been made aware of the Shadow Minister's comments in the Senate today and unfortunately, it seems he is more interested in headlines than in genuine information."Interdictive efforts take place at Bermuda's ports of entry every day and hard-working men and women keep Bermuda's borders safe in sometimes trying conditions."The Shadow Minister's support of these efforts would be more productive as opposed to using this project as a means to question their work and this Government's commitment."He thanked everyone involved in the "important project," including the Corporation, for their "ongoing assistance".Responding later, Sen Dunkley said: "Sadly the Minister has missed the point of what I said in the Senate today or perhaps he was misinformed by his colleagues. Of course my colleagues and I fully support the current interdictive efforts by all those involved."That was not the focus of my comments. I did however question the Government's commitment to the scanning project at the Hamilton docks, and who wouldn't with the shell of a building being the only visible sign of progress after many months? After all when the Government announced this project, stating their commitment to crack down on the flow of narcotics and weapons into the island, it was said that the project would be completed in April, 2011. It is clear that there remains much to be done and it is highly unlikely that this project can be completed before the end of the year."He added: "The questions remain unanswered. Why the delay? When will it be completed? Is it on budget? Will it efficiently scan the cargo that comes in through the port without any unreasonable delays? Perhaps the Minister, instead of shooting the messenger, can provide some answers."