Director General for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Charles Kalumo has said that they have made strides in the past months to improve service delivery at the department.
A retired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Brigadier General, Kalumo was appointed on the position by President Lazarus Chakwera in August this year.
In an interview with The Atlas Malawi, Kalumo said among other things, officers are working based on professional and ethical norms in-line of duty and avoidance of corrupt practices to achieve their vision of a well secured and managed migration and citizenship for Malawi.
“It has been quiet an involving but successful period. For example, we have been engaged with the Foreign Affairs Ministry in vetting process of passports from recruitment agencies following reports of human trafficking in Oman.
“We have been involved in the the final review of the Immigration Act done by special law commission being Chaired by Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda S.C Justice of Appeal. We will be happy to see the law being fully implemented as soon as possible.
“In October, Tanzaniza and Malawi signed a Memorandum of Understandin in cooperation of Immigration matters which include but not limited to; exchange of human and technology expertise, promote fair treatment of bussiness persons and documented migrants and cooperate in combating terrorism, human trafficking, smuggling of migrants and other transnational crimes among others,” he said
He further said the MOU move the two countries in joint measures in combating illegal migration along with repatriation and deportation processes and procedures and joint operation in areas of combating irregular cross-border migrants.
He said he has also directed all key stakeholders involved in the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project (SATCP) to cooperate and coordinate for a successful implementation of the project
“So far a team of consultants on Border Pass Card (BPC) and Border Management Information System (BMIS) are visiting various formations countrywide on needs assessment before full implementation of the project,” said Kalumo
The Director further said he is also engaging treasury to secure 100 million Imprest account for Immigration operations considering that Immigration being second to MRA in terms of revenue collections, its officers also deserve motivation.
“With the current E-visa payment and processes challenges, the DG is engaging Standard Bank to manage Online visa payment, signing process is at advance stage, the development will help in mitigating all the challenges,” said Kalumo
Recently, the department has enhenced in house training of officers which include training of prosecutors at Mpemba, some of which have graduated last week, currently for the first time in the history of the department.
Further, armoures are being trained at Ntakataka Police Training School and also drivers who are being Training at Police Training School in Limbe Blantyre
On some challenges which they are facing, Kalumo cited mobility, financial Resources to support our daily routine operations, coordination with key stakeholders both within and outside, as well as systems coordination
