India gifts vehicles to support Maldives Correctional Service
Vehicles procured with the financial support of the Indian Government were gifted to Maldives Correctional Service in a virtual ceremony held today.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Sunjay Sudhir, and Commissioner of Prisons Ahmed Mohamed Fulhu spoke at the ceremony. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives Correctional Service and the High Commission of India in Maldives also participated in the ceremony.
The Maldives Correctional Service was allocated a total of 8 million Rufiya from Indian grant assistance, to procure vehicles to ease the transportation issues and increase the capacity of Maldives Correctional Service to undertake its responsibilities effectively. The first component was the procurement of land vehicles. A total of four vehicles (3 vans and 1 car) were procured under this component. The second component of this project to procure a passenger launch is ongoing.
Speaking at the event, Minister Shahid highlighted the crucial role played by Maldives Correctional Service in the reform and reintegration of offenders back to society as productive citizens, and alluded to the importance of increasing the effectiveness of the institution in providing its services to the people of Maldives.
The financial support has been provided from the grant assistance of USD 6.9 million (MVR 106 million) granted to the Government of Maldives by the Government of India during the visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India in March 2019. The aim of the grant assistance is to conduct socio-economic development projects across the country which make a significant impact. The projects under this grant will be managed by local authorities.