Westminster Group Regulatory News (WSG)

27 Mar 2008 07:00

Westminster Group PLC27 March 2008 27th March 2008 Westminster Group Plc: New contract win Southern Sudan - Juba Airport Protection System Westminster Group Plc ('Westminster' or 'the Group'), the AIM listed supplier ofsystem solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection andsafety markets worldwide, announces that they have received a Letter ofAppointment from the Government of Southern Sudan, signed by the Minister ofTransport & Roads, confirming that Westminster has been awarded the contract forextensive security enhancements at Juba Airport. The contract, valued at circa 4.7 million USD, involves the installation of ahigh security perimeter fence which will be protected by Westminster's FOSSfibre detection system. It will detect any attempt to cut, climb or lift thefence, together with airport surveillance cameras, a control & command systemand a range of specialist scanning equipment. The 21-year civil war between North and South Sudan, ended on 9 January 2005with a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. A fragile peace has existed since that time with national elections scheduledbefore the end of 2009 to decide on North-South unification. The war caused widespread devastation in Southern Sudan and reconstruction isunderway. The upgrading of airport security at Juba, being the capital of theSouth, is a high priority for the Government of Southern Sudan as part of thereconstruction process and a drive to attract international traffic. Westminster was consulted on ways in which the airport could be adequatelysecured against a number of risks and immediately sent a team to undertake asurvey and feasibility study. Following the visit, Westminster produced a rangeof solutions and provided considerable technical support for consideration,including additional site visits, ahead of being appointed to deliver the chosensystem. Commenting on the latest contract award, Peter Fowler, Chief Executive ofWestminster Group, said: "I am delighted we have received this Letter of Appointment for the protectionof Juba Airport. It is a very high profile project and one which addresses animportant issue for Southern Sudan. "I know our international team have worked very hard over the past 12 months todesign solutions to accommodate the needs and requirements of the project. Thedecision to place the contract with Westminster is an indication of our abilityto respond quickly to client requests, even in difficult parts of the world, anddesign comprehensive solutions which encompass an extensive range of productsand technologies. Once again, this clearly demonstrates our international reachand broad range of expertise in the field. "It is also further evidence of Westminster's growing international reputationand our ability to provide bespoke solutions to governments and governmentalagencies worldwide "We anticipate that the majority of the project will be completed in the currentfinancial year". Enquiries: Peter Fowler 01295 756 300Chief Executive - Westminster Group Plc Clive Carver 020 7600 1658JM Finn & Co Tom Cooper/Paul Vann 0117 920 0092Winningtons Financial Notes: Westminster Group plc is a leader in the supply of system solutions and productsto the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide. It wasadmitted to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange inJune 2007 at which time it raised approximately £2.5million net of expenses byway of a Placing of 4,537,336 new Ordinary Shares at 67.5pence per share throughJ M Finn & Co Ltd, the Company's nominated adviser and broker. Its market valueat flotation was £10million. Westminster's principal activity is the design, supply and ongoing support ofadvanced technology security solutions. These can range from product onlyassignments, such as the supply of specialised scanners, to the design andimplementation of an integrated system solution such as a border detection andsurveillance system. The majority of its customer base, by value, comprisesgovernments and government agencies, non governmental organisations and bluechip commercial organisations This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange