The construction of the new prison near Bubuieci commune, Chisinau municipality, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2018, may soon begin. The Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement partially outsourcing the management of the project. The agreement is pending ratification by Parliament, which will enable construction work to commence, IPN reports.
The new prison will have a capacity of 1,050 inmates, featuring modern medical services and state-of-the-art security systems. According to the Ministry of Justice, a first for this project is the inclusion of an energy efficiency component, utilizing renewable energy sources and protecting the environment through photovoltaic panels.
Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru emphasized that the signing of the agreement marks a crucial step in improving detention conditions in the Republic of Moldova. "The partial outsourcing of project management will ensure that all implementation stages follow the best international practices, reducing the risk of delays," the minister noted.
UNOPS, an international organization with expertise in managing complex infrastructure projects, will oversee procurement management, technical supervision, quality control, and risk management.
"We are pleased to support Moldova in building a penitentiary system that respects human dignity and aligns with global best practices. This project is a testament to our shared commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," said Tim Lardner, UNOPS Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
The construction of the new prison was initiated in 2011, with plans to make the facility operational by 2018. However, a recent amendment to the Framework Loan Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Council of Europe Development Bank has extended the project timeline to the end of 2028.
