Enhancement of security and safety of the "Duvanište" SALW and ammunition storage location of the Ministry of Interior of Serbia (SEESAC)

Duration

1 July 2019 – 30 June 2023

Beneficiary/ies

Serbian Ministry of Interior (MoI)

Donor/s

The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA)

Funding Amount

USD 1,000,000

Funding gaps (if any)

N/A

Objective/s

The project aims to further improve the security of weapons and ammunition storage in Serbia by providing technical and infrastructural support in line with international standards. The increase in the security of stockpiles will contribute to combating the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition. The project will also contribute to enhanced community security, including armed violence reduction.

Contributing to the Roadmap goal/s

Contributing to the Roadmap overall targets

The number of SALW/firearms and their ammunition storage facilities in line with international safety and security standards.

Key activities implemented up to date

• The security and safety upgrade at the Serbian MoI Duvanište SALW storage location entails refurbishment and access control of five medium-large SALW storage buildings, basic repair of three small storage buildings, a new monitoring room within a guardhouse, a perimeter security fence with a pedestrian and vehicle access gate, exterior electrical installation, and a CCTV system, as well as lightning protection poles installation.  

• A detailed assessment of the location was completed in May 2020, and the MoI adopted conceptual designs at the end of August 2020.
• The tender of works was closed at the end of 2021. Nevertheless, in March 2022, the selected bidder withdrew from the procedure, stating an extreme rise in building materials prices. A new procurement process was launched at the end of July 2022, and works were initiated in November 2022 by a selected contractor. Given that the works started in late fall, an extension of the project until 30 June 2023 was signed with the donor in December 2022.
• A new perimeter security fence, CCTV cameras, exterior electrical lighting fixtures' poles, and paving of the entrance to the location have been completed. Refurbishment works at five medium-sized storage buildings, and part of the guardhouse (for the CCTV monitoring room) included facades, access platforms, interior walls and ceilings repair and painting as applicable, and roof tiling/metal roofing panels and horizontal and vertical gutters replacement. Security was upgraded through the installation of new windows with security bars, new security doors with locks and access control, and the installation of interior and exterior lighting fixtures, while safety was enhanced by the installation of smoke alarms in the five storage buildings and of surrounding lightning protection poles. Three small storage buildings' facades were repaired and painted. Their security was improved by the installation of new metal doors with locks, and windows were repaired and fitted with security bars.
• Additionally, as agreed with the MoI, the safety of three small storage buildings was upgraded by installing new lightning protection poles in May 2023. The CCTV monitoring room was completely refurbished and upgraded with the electrical installation fitting a lowered ceiling, CCTV rack and monitor, and supply of a portable computer. Barcode printer and reader, metal detectors, work desk, chair, and air conditioning unit supply, and manufacturing of fifty weapons crates for the storage location were also completed. The technical handover of completed works was organized on 25 May 2023, while an official handover ceremony is planned after the project's completion.
• A weeklong proficient-level national PSSM training for 24 MoI participants, storage operators, managers, and other MoI practitioners was held in Vršac.