Icom seeks new premises as current office deemed unfit for use

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) is seeking a new location for its headquarters after vacating its current premises due to the deteriorating condition of the building.

ICOM, established in 2015 under the Right to Information Act, had been operating from G. Billoorijehige. However, the office was forced to shift operations online from 19 May after the building was deemed unfit for continued use.

In an announcement, ICOM said it is now seeking to lease a new office building for a two-year period. The required space must be a two-storey building with a minimum area of 2,500 square feet.

Interested parties are invited to submit bids by emailing [email protected] by 11:00am on Monday, 8 July. Bids will be opened at 10:30am on Wednesday, 9 July, at the ICOM office.

ICOM’s annual report stated that the previous office posed health risks to staff and had difficulties in using facilities such as toilets and break room, after which employees worked in shifts to manage operations during official working hours.

While the Ministry of Finance granted approval in October 2024 for the office to relocate, the bid submitted for the move exceeded MVR 7.6 million. The proposal was forwarded to the ministry on November 19 for a decision in line with finance regulations.

However, no further action was taken, and the tender board had yet to announce a new office space by the time ICOM’s annual report was published in March.