FOR nearly two years, the acquisition of LCL (less than container load) scanners for the transit shed at PLIPDECO’s Point Lisas port has been pending, with progress dependent on a formal written recommendation from Customs and Excise.

Despite a procurement request issued in August 2023 by Christopher Bharat, junior manager of the LCL warehouse—a move supported by internal documentation obtained by the Express—no subsequent endorsement was received from the Customs and Excise Division.

The projected $5 million scanners for pallet inspection have been in limbo, with no transparent paper trail.