SEESAC Project for the enhancement of SALW control security measures in Albania (SEESAC)

Duration

1 September 2018 – 30 August 2022

Beneficiary/ies

Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoI); Albanian State Police (ASP); Albanian Ministry of Defence (MoD)

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 1,300,000

Funding gaps (if any)

N/A

Objective/s

• The enhancement of SALW control security measures was completed at:
  • Two locations of the Albanian MoD: Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunition storage location "Mirake"; and "Zall – Herr" Land Force Command.
  • Three locations of the Albanian MoI/ASP: Main Supply Centre "Mullet" - Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW) and ammunition storage location and two evidence rooms for firearms safekeeping at the local Police Directorates of Tirana and Korca.
  • Supply of 50 SALW safekeeping metallic cabinets for the ASP.
• The project contributed directly to security and stability by ensuring that the stockpiled SALW and ammunition under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior of Albania/Albanian State Police are safe, secured and accounted for. The project contributed to reducing the risk of uncontrolled proliferation at local and regional levels and the risk of uncontrolled explosions.

Contributing to the Roadmap goal/s

Contributing to the Roadmap overall targets

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

Key activities implemented up to date

• The first phase of the ASP Mullet storage location security upgrade was completed at the end of August 2019; the works for the second phase entailing the construction of an external perimeter security fence, CCTV system and a guardhouse, started in September 2020. They were handed over to the Albanian State Police in April 2021.
• The weeklong targeted national Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) course for ASP practitioners was completed in Tirana in October 2019.
• MoD Mirake SALW and ammunition storage upgrade (security fencing, CCTV) and delivery and installation of 70 weapons racks for the Zall Herr Command SALW storage (which started in Dec 2019) were completed in June 2020.
• In March 2021, in line with the request for additional support, a no-cost extension was approved by the donor for the following security enhancements:
  • Construction of a room for the new firearms marking machine operation within the existing building located in ASP SALW and ammunition storage in Mullet.
  • Improvement of security of two evidence rooms for firearms safekeeping at the local ASP Directorates of Tirana and Korca.
  • Supply of approximately 50 SALW safekeeping metallic cabinets for the ASP.
• Detailed infrastructure assessments of the new locations were concluded by mid-May 2021. The tender for works was launched in August 2021.
• The tender evaluation and approval of results were completed by the end of October, and the works contract was signed in November 2021.
• The professional supervision services tender was completed, and the contract was signed in December 2021.
• The upgrade works at the three locations were initiated in February 2022 upon completion of the security vetting of the works’ and supervision services contractors’ staff and vacation of all premises by the ASP.
• Testing and commissioning services were procured, and the contract with the selected contractor was signed in April 2022.
• The upgrade works at three locations were completed by early August 2022.
• Technical handovers of completed works to the beneficiaries at the three locations were held in late August 2022.