Ann: Maldives Contract Signed , page-12

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http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/33244/Immigration_halts_border_control_system_project_on_ACC_orders


Immigration halts border control system project on ACC orders
| DATE: 2010-11-04 | PRINT |
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MALE, November 4 (HNS) Immigration Department has put the border control system on hold on Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) orders, Immigration Controller Ilyas Hussein Ibrahim said Thursday.

Ilyas said the project awarded to Malaysias Nexbis Limited was put on hold as the commission is investigating a public complaint over the agreement.

The department signed the agreement on October 17, hours after the commission informed in writing to adjourn the ceremony on a serious complaint.

Ilyas said the project would commence once the commission gives the green signal.

We have also informed the Malaysian company about ACC orders. ACC has not informed us of its decision yet, he said.

ACC Deputy Commissioner Muawwiz Rasheed earlier said the commission informed the department twice to adjourn the signing ceremony after it received a serious complaint.

After the signing ceremony, Ilyas told Haveeru that the successful party was selected from the bids received via Finance Ministry after consulting the ministry and Attorney Generals (AG) Office.

According to the bidding invitation announcement issued earlier this year, the electronic border gate system should be equipped with automated facial recognition technology and fingerprint technology to identify the immigrants and an integrated system should provide instant access to travel document records, passport, and visa and fingerprint database.

Haveeru, however, understands that Nexbiss system does not include key features including e-gate, automated facial recognition technology and passport production.

Ilyas earlier said an e-gate would be set up at Male International Airport, which would allow e-passport holders to enter the country without waiting at immigration counter.

He earlier stressed that the 20-year build, operate and transfer (BOT) concession contract was legal and added that the agreement was already signed when the commission asked to hold the process.

Only one page was signed before you [journalists]. No witnesses were present either. But [we were signing] four files... each file consisting of over 200 pages since morning, he said.

I was certain that [no corruption was involved]. I did not do anything that leads to corruption.

Ilyas noted that the government should repay the initial investment of the system which would cost about US$39 million (Rf501 million). He said a US$2 fee is to be charged from every foreigner entering the country and US$15 has to be paid for work visa.

Nexbis is required to pay five percent of its profit to the government as royalty, he added.