The Ministry of Public Works confirmed 55 percent completion rate of the forensic evidence project, indicating that the construction work is near completion. Officials verified working on the finishing construction, as well as furnishing of equipment and furniture, and coordination with the electricity department for power supply.
The ministry said in a statement that it is mopping up the project for review as forensic evidence is one of the Ministry of Interior’s vital projects and features various specializations. While supervising the project and the MOI all throughout the work, officials noted that priority is given to the national product in compliance with the contract and to encourage national products. Ashghal indicated that the advisory agreement expired on the contract date without extension, and national cadres directly supervised the project, consisting of approximately 80 engineers, pointing to the training of national cadres to qualify them to work in such projects and provide them with the necessary expertise.
The official stated that the project’s contractual period ended on 31 August 2022, and several obstacles affected the work at the outset of the project, such as the removal of the water pipes of third parties, in addition to the coronavirus pandemic. Another obstacle is the lockdown that impacted employment and the delay in the supply of some equipment and devices due to the shipping crisis, confirming that the work is being pursued according to the contractual plan during the third quarter of 2023. Moreover, the international engineering regulations and codes are followed and materials are approved in accordance with the contractual specifications. It indicated that the project cost KD 49.3 million and the construction area is 52.7 thousand square meters and consists of two basements and two buildings linked by a glass bridge, one for the administrative and the other for laboratories.
