Audit on why physical works on police stations awarded foreign company never commenced

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau states an audit is underway to identify why physical works on the construction of police stations nationwide contracted to a foreign company during the former administration never commenced.

Shujau made the remark in response to a query put forth by Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azan during a convening of the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee).

In this regard, Shujau said an audit is underway to uncover how the project had proceeded as physical works on the police stations had never commenced.

“Although these projects pertain to infrastructure development of Maldives Police Service, we are not aware of how the project was awarded or implemented,” he said.

Shujau, underscoring the audit will uncover the details regarding this project, said the information will be shared with the parliament subsequently.

Speaking at an earlier press conference, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said an Indian company, Indira Projects, expressed interest in implementing a project in the Maldives valued at USD 41.18 million for the development of 61 police stations nationwide.

As per Ihusan, when the former administration responded to the proposal, the condition set forth had been that 85 percent of the project would be financed by India’s Exim Bank and the remaining 15 percent by the government. He added that the government had disbursed an advance payment of USD 3.6 million to the company.

However, the Minister said the exchanges that followed do not indicate what was done with the advance payment.Au