WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1: Plans to open the new entrance to Hamilton Docks were delayed because parts of the development did not have the correct paperwork.
The multi-million dollar X-ray machine and new entrance at Number Seven Shed was supposed to be in operation by last Monday.
But parts of the project had not been granted occupancy certificates that would have allowed them to be handed over to the Department of Customs and be used.
Yesterday a partial Certificate of Use and Occupancy Permit was granted for just the security control buildings and the new entrance.
The certificate does not mention the control room for the scanner, the scanner hall or the container inspection area.
The Bermuda Sun understands that the new entrance at the junction of Court and Front Street could be in operation as early as next Monday.
But it is still unclear when the X-ray machine, which has passed all its site acceptance tests, will be up and running.
Edward Benevides, COO for the City of Hamilton, said: “Once the entrance has been moved then the next stage of the Docks development can begin.
“At present the partial occupancy certificate refers to the security control buildings and the new entrance.”
Assistant Collector of Customs, William Pearman, told the Bermuda Sun: “There have been some minor, unforeseen circumstances, that we are working through at the moment. We are hopeful that everything will sorted out by the end of the week.”
The Bermuda Sun contacted the Office of Project Management and Procurement and asked why occupancy certificates had not already been obtained in advance for all new buildings in the docks’ development.
However the response did not address the question. A government spokesperson said: “I can advise on behalf of the Office of Project Management & Procurement (OPMP), that they requested an Occupancy certificate for the Security Building on 20th July and this has been granted. Beyond that there will be no further comment.”