770 million to cover expenses after the terrorist attack on the Government Quarter

The revised version of the Norwegian national budget includes a proposal by the Government to appropriate around NOK 770 million as a consequence of last year’s 22 July attack on the government quarter. The means are among other things going to be used for the physical and technical securing of the government quarter and the replacement offices, more security personnel, upgrading of the data network for sensitive information and rent payment for replacement offices.

- The work of repairing the government quarter and securing new and existing government offices has been going on continuously since the 22 July attack. The total appropriations as a result of the terrorist attack on the government quarter are now amounting to around NOK 1.45 billion, Ms Rigmor Aasrud says. She is minister of government administration, reform and church affairs.

In the national budget appropriations for 2012, NOK 250 million is set aside for covering costs resulting of the attacks on the government quarter 22 July last year.  The calculation  was made shortly after the attacks took place. The works have proved to be far more extensive. Total need for 2012 today is calculated to be around NOK 850 million. In 2011, NOK 340 million were used as a result of the attacks on the government quarter.

Physical securing and repair work in the government quarter
The Government proposes an increase of the appropriations for securing and repairing the government quarter by NOK 135 million. A total of NOK 165 million is going to be used in 2012. The appropriations are proposed in the budget of Statsbygg - the government agency for public construction and property management.

Physical securing of the ministries’ replacement offices
The Government proposes appropriations of NOK 187 million for safety measures in the ministries’ replacement offices. The appropriations are proposed in the budget of Statsbygg.

More security personnel
The Government proposes to strengthen the operating budget of the Government Administration Services by NOK 24.5 million for a number of efforts, including increasing the guard and security personnel in the government quarter and in the ministries’ new offices. Increased manpower is necessary to take care of the security in the ministries’ replacement offices. In a transitional period there is a need to hire security guards from private companies. The expenses for such guard services are calculated to NOK 55.9 million in 2012. An additional NOK 16 million is added as a result of additional expenditure on things like furniture and office equipment. The total proposal for increased appropriations after the attack is NOK 96.4 million.

Technical securing in the government quarter and replacement offices
The Government proposes an appropriation of NOK 45.6 million, mainly to establish basic security in the government quarter and in the new offices of the ministries. The amount includes procurement of technical equipment like alarm and access control systems, card readers, surveillance cameras and security center equipment.

Upgrading of ICT security
The Goverment proposes to appropriate NOK 11.5 million to improve the coverage level of the nationwide emergency network Nødnett, and to establish a guaranteed network for all ministries.

Rent expenditure for replacement offices
Statsbygg is renting replacement offices used by the ministries after the 22 July attack. The costs of adapting the offices for the ministries’ purposes and needs are covered in the rental cost. The Government proposes to increase the appropriations for Statsbygg by NOK 133 million to cover the rent for the replacement offices.