The police on Saturday signed a USD 48 million contract with India's ABL Indira Projects and Development. The contract was awarded to the Indian company without undergoing a bid, under a single source procurement method.
The agreement was signed between both parties at a ceremony held at Iskandar Koshi. The ceremony was attended by the Indian ambassador to the Maldives Sanjay Sudhir as well as high-ranking officials from Maldives Police Service and officials from the Indian High Commission in the Maldives. The agreement was signed between Police Commissioner Mohamed Hameed on behalf of Maldives Police Service and ABL Indira Project and Development's Founder and Chairman, Bhupesh Nagarajan.
The scope of the project includes the construction of 61 police facilities and buildings. This includes a custodial facility in Dhoonidhoo and further infrastructural development of two existing buildings in Dhoonidhoo, 23 police stations and 21 police posts in islands, 8 atoll police stations, a police station in Male', and an additional police station and 4 accommodation buildings in Hulhumale'. All components of the project must be completed within two years.
The police said the project will lead to the establishment of police stations across the Maldives and will facilitate the provision of modern and democratic services that the country's citizens require in a decentralized manner. Furthermore, it would also ensure that the international standards for detention are met as well as the basic standards for police facilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, CP Hameed said this is the biggest project undertaken by the police for the infrastructural development of police services. He added that in addition to human resources, rules and regulations, and democratic principles, infrastructural resources are necessary to provide services to the public under a community policing philosophy.
85 percent of the project will be financed under a loan agreement between the Maldives government and India's EXIM Bank. The remaining 15 percent will be financed by the Maldivian government.
The police said the cost of the project is comparatively lower than other infrastructural projects undertaken by the government as PSIP projects.
