Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has stated the increased crime rate in local communities cannot simply be blamed on Maldives Police Service (MPS), as many institutions and individuals hold the collaborative responsibility of stopping crime. He made the remarks while speaking at the ceremony held in Thulusdhoo, Kaafu Atoll to inaugurate the large-scale project of developing additional infrastructure for MPS.
Speaking at the ceremony, Home Minister Imran said community development and progress cannot be achieved without peace and stability. The minister noted building a peaceful society is a responsibility on multiple shoulders, not just on the police institution. In this regard, he noted councils and community organisations play an important role in preventing crime in the society.
Speaking further, the home minister said President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration is undertaking several efforts to provide better police services to residents of the atolls. He noted the new project inaugurated to establish additional infrastructure for MPS across the atolls is the largest project undertaken to strengthen police services in the country. He thanked the Indian government for the assistance provided to undertake the project.
The project to develop additional infrastructure for MPS was officially inaugurated by Home Minister Imran and Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed on August 10. The project involves developing a custodial facility in Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll as well as an accommodation building in Villimale’ with a capacity of 400 people. The project also involves developing a 100-person capacity accommodation building at the police training centre in Vaanee, Dhaalu Atoll and accommodation buildings in the police stations of Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll and Villingili, Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
Furthermore, the project includes converting the police stations of Kulhudhuffushi City and Gan, Laamu Atoll to regional police headquarters and establishing five additional cells in the regions. Furthermore, the development of a police station in Hulhumale’ Phase II and Galolhu ward, as well eight atoll-level police stations, 23 island-level police stations and 21 police posts is undertaken as part of the project.
The project, worth USD48 million, is carried out under the grant assistance of the Indian government. The duration of the project is 730 days.