Saudis to provide USD 50 mn to build flats for military, police officers

Saudi Arabian government has made the decision to provide Maldives with USD 50 million in non-reimbursable aid to build flats for Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service officers.

The decision was made during Maldivian Defense Minister Adam Shareef Umar’s visit to Saudi Arabia to attend the ceremony held to mark the end of the first military exercise – Exercise North Thunder – by the coalition force set up under the initiation of Saudi Arabian government to fight against terrorism.

Minister Shareef, during his visit to Saudi Arabia from March 10 to 13, met with Saudi King - Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Defense Minister - Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, and leaders from other Islamic countries.

Meanwhile, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen said on Sunday night that the flats for officers would be completed in 2017.

Speaking during the ceremony held to celebrate the grand opening of “Tsunami Bina Maizaan”, President Yameen noted that the project was not being carried out satisfactorily, but that the project would be re-started with renewed vigor very soon.

Officers who were granted ownership of the 300 flats to be built for them in Hulhumale’ were announced about a year back. But the “Sifco Hiya” flats are yet to be complete.

The down payment for the flats is being deducted from the salaries of selected police and military officer each month.