Government yesterday denied claims by the Corporation of Hamilton that the instillation of X-ray scanning equipment would be delayed into next year.

The corporation has stated that issues with Immigration have prevented engineers from coming to the Island and surveying the site. The Ministry insisted that Immigration is waiting on information from the corporation. The corporation meanwhile says that it is fully cooperating with Immigration.

During a corporation meeting on Wednesday, city engineer Patrick Cooper said that the project could face delays because Immigration had not yet given permission for engineers to come to the Island to survey the site.

The corporation's chief operating officer, Edward Benevides, also said that the arrival construction materials for the foundation of the x-ray building had also been delayed.

Responding to yesterday's report on the meeting, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, which is the body that controls Bermuda Customs, said that the Immigration department was waiting for information from the Corporation. "In response to media reports yesterday suggesting a possible delay in the instillation of specialised x-ray equipment on the Hamilton Docks, the Department of Customs advised that the Immigration Department is awaiting responses to requests for additional information — which is to be provided by the Corporation of Hamilton.

"That said, it is not anticipated that the lack of requisite information from the corporation will have a direct impact on the overall project completion. "Instead it may result in some of the dock preparation work being delayed."

Mr. Benevides said that the corporation has been fully cooperative, saying: "We have provided and will continue to provide the Department of Immigration with all requested information in order to move forward with this important national project.

"The Canadian engineers the City of Hamilton is working with on the docks project have experience in project management and design services in transportation, sewage, structural, environmental and electrical engineering."

One of the issues the engineers are expected to look at is the sewage system which runs beneath the intended site of the x-ray building.

The $2.6 million x-ray scanning system is intended to be installed and in operation before the end of the year, allowing Customs to search every container that comes in and out of the Island. The spokesperson said: "This project is considered a priority for Government, and the Department of Customs remains committed to ensuring that all of Bermuda's borders are protected."

In a note published on his Facebook page, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown wrote: "X-ray equipment on Hamilton Docks will help us keep drugs and guns out of Bermuda.

"The PLP Government is moving with all possible speed to bring equipment online that will make Bermuda safer.

"The x-ray equipment is a priority and we're working with our partners to ensure that it is implemented as soon as possible."