President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has restructured the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) under the Ministry of Defence, expanding its mandate to include the security of all ports operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
Under the directive issued on Sunday, AVSECOM has been renamed the Aviation and Port Security Command, consolidating oversight of aviation and seaport security under a single government agency. The President’s Office said the change aims to establish a stronger, unified security management system for international seaports and port facilities across the country.
Government agencies have been instructed to continue using the reference number 453 for all correspondence with the newly renamed command, the same number previously assigned to AVSECOM.
Male' Commercial Harbor. (File Photo/Sun/Fayaz Moosa)
The Aviation Security Command was originally established on January 1, 2013, during the administration of former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, following a cabinet decision. Its initial mandate was to formulate aviation security policies and procedures in line with national aviation laws.
Until now, MPL has been responsible for securing the ports it operates, including Male' Commercial Harbour, Hulhumale' Harbour, and the ports of Kulhudhuffushi and Hithadhoo in Addu.
The shift in responsibility comes in the wake of a major theft at Hulhumale' Port earlier this year, where two containers of cigarettes seized by Customs on April 26 were stolen. The case was reported to police on October 9, and an MPL employee was among those arrested and charged in connection with the incident.