“Rejection of the project encourages ‘slavery’” That's what ACC Did IMMIGRATION

July 17, 2012 -

Controller of Immigration and Emigration Dr Mohamed Ali has warned that failure to launch the Border Control System project in the near future might result in having to disrupt incoming and outgoing passenger traffic at Maldivian borders.

The Controller’s warning comes at a time when the High Court had issued an order yesterday, for the second time, to halt the $39-million Border Control System project.

Speaking to reporters today, Mohamed Ali said that the current Border Control System in the Maldives was established in 2003, and that this system does not allow proper monitoring of travellers to and from Maldives.

“The current system is a very simple one which had been used in Canada 13 years ago. It does not allow identification of deported individuals - the border of Maldives is open for anyone to come in. Unless this security measure is put in place, I may have to stop all passenger traffic at the border. It is my responsibility to ensure security,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has repeatedly attempted to halt the Border Control System project, following suspicion of corruption.

Mohamed Ali noted that any group which works in the best interest of the nation would not attempt to halt a project which would result in numerous benefits to the people of Maldives.

When asked if this comment was targeted at ACC, the Controller refused to respond.

Mohamed Ali went on to say that entire projects do not have to be stopped following corruption suspicions.

“ACC has indicated that the allegations pertaining to the project have been submitted to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office. I don’t believe that the entire project has to be stopped. My concern is that the project might be ruined, just like the barge in Thilafushi which involved some corruption suspicions – and ended up in unused, deteriorated condition. The problem had nothing to do with the barge itself, did it?”

Referring to illegal import of labourers to Maldives, Mohamed Ali said that rejection of the Border Control System project would result in the encouragement of ‘slavery’ in Maldives.

“We are already included on the US Human Trafficking Watchlist. We barely managed to be in the second category, only because of the leniency of the US. If this continues, we will face pressure from the US,” the Controller said.

He refused to comment on the Border Control System project case, citing that it is in progress in Court.

Department of Immigration and Emigration has stated that the Border Control System project, conducted through Malaysia’s Nexbiz, is 95-percent complete.

Sun is informed that the current Border Control System is also operated using equipment provided by Nexbiz.

Source : http://sun.mv/english/4363