The Director General for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services Brigadier General Charles Kalumo (retired), says he is geared to build a stronger immigration department and has encouraged teamwork among employees.
In an interview with the local media, Brigadier General Kalumo says as a gentleman with military background, he believes that Immigration being a disciplinary organisation, should lead by example on all disciplinary matters.
The Director General said among others, officers need to understand on the professional and ethical norms in-line of duty, avoidance of corrupt malpractices, fulfilment of their core values, streamlining of the department’s strategic objectives and goals.
He said positive practices from staff members will help in building a stronger Immigration Department which will achieve its vision of a ‘Well Secured and Managed Migration and Citizenship for Malawi’.
“Let me appeal to you all officers, please avoid corruption, it is evil, gossip, character assassination with ill-motives to destroy others, laziness at work. It is time to build a strong Immigration Department with discipline and team spirit.
“As for me, I am so much committed to build a strong a Immigration Department and that is why we are talking of these good practices from our employees and not only that but also, we need support from the general public,” said Brigadier General Kalumo (Rtd).
Kalumo was quick to mention that the department is experiencing some challenges including; Mobility, Financial Resources to support their daily routine operations, coordination both within and outside (key stakeholders) and also on Systems Coordination (team building).
However, he pointed out that despite such challenges, under his leadership, the department is implementing several projects including the assessing of various formations countrywide on Border Pass Card (BPC) and Border Management Information System (BMIS) projects.
“More projects and programs for the Department are in the pipeline, for example; with the current E-visa payment and process challenges, We are engaging Standard Bank to manage Online visa payment. Signing process is at an advanced stage. This will help in mitigating all the challenges.
“We have also enhanced in-house training of officers which include training of prosecutors at Mpemba who have graduated last week. Currently, for the first time in the history of Immigration, armouries are being trained at Ntakataka Police Training School and also drivers who are being Training at Police Training School in Limbe Blantyre,” he added.
The Director General further added that the department is currently fast tracking the payment process for a buildingas Immigration Headquarters are relocating from Blantyre to Lilongwe inline with government’s directive on reforms.
Brigadier General Kalumo’s August appointment by President Lazarus Chakwera raised eyebrows as a certain quarter cast doubt on whether the 70-year-old former National Chairperson for the War Veterans and Ex-Service League Of Malawi would effectively deliver.
