Home Affairs Minister Kennedy
Sakeni today took a surprise visit at the Immigration Headquarters offices.
Mr Sakeni who was flanked by
Home Affair Deputy Permanent Secretary for administration Willie Mangimela
found the customer care service department with a handful of staff as most of
the chairs and tables were empty.
He told the Chief Immigration
Officer Anderson Phiri that he was dismayed with what he saw during a conducted
tour of the customer care service.
ZANIS reports that Mr Sakeni
said Government laws stipulate that Government workers report for duty at 08:00
hours and not later than 08:00 hours.
The Minister has since
challenged workers to change their work culture and refrain from reporting late
for duties as evidenced from findings of his surprise visit to the institution.
Mr Sakeni described late
coming as a bad habit that should not be entertained.
During the briefing, Chief
Immigration Officer Anderson Phiri said the department has improved in its
operations adding that it has moved from the 10th position of being
corrupt 3rd place.
Mr Phiri told the minister
that the institution is under staffed with the current workforce of 575 adding
that an additional 850 officers should be employed.
He pointed out that for the
department to be more efficient, it needs adequate transport to conduct its
operations.
Mr Phiri bemoaned that most
border control posts in the country have no transport a development he said
inhibits the effectiveness of the department.
Meanwhile, Mr Phiri has
appealed to the minister to consider reviewing some of the contracts Government
has signed with foreign firms.
He complained that most of
the contracts signed by Government made it very difficult for the department to
professionally carry out its work as its hands are tied.
ZANIS
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