The Office of the Ombudsman has issued key findings following a systemic
investigation report on interrogating the systematic administrative and service
delivery failures in the department of immigration and citizenship services.
Presenting a 200-page report which narrowed to 55 pages on Tuesday at
its headquarters in Lilongwe, Ombudsman Grace Malera said the idea behind the
systemic investigation is to look at the structural and delivery failures in
public institutions in delivering services.
She outlined a number of key findings which include Chronic corruption
and maladministration in delivery of services as there has been an infestation
of intermediaries or middlemen also known as 'Dobadobas' that compromises the
systems as they demand extra fees.
Another key finding says the department is using outdated and archaic
laws that do not have provisions that can help in responding to contemporary
emerging issues around transnational or organized crimes.
Operational challenges that render the department in its service
delivery including border management techniques, limited resources, service
charter and misuse of the authority.
Handling of procurement and contracting of service providers in passport
issuance led to a number of crises and threats to national security.
"In a space of four years the department has contracted three
vendors who terminated contracts which resulted in disruption of services and
holding of government data posing risks in billions of Kwacha due to
termination of contracts," continued Malera.
She further disclosed the key recommendations that need to be done by
the relevant stakeholders including urging the Ministry of Homeland Security in
collaboration with the Ministry of Justice to expedite within their applicable
laws for the processes of enactment of the new immigration bill for the country
to be modernized.
Conducting a forensic audit to the awarded three service providers of
Techno Brain, E-Tech Systems and Madrass Limited.
The Ministry of Homeland Security to harmonize the policies with other
countries in border control.
Reacting to the report, Bob Chilemba, Director of Administration in the
Ministry of Homeland Security, says they are committed to implement the
directives that have been given by the Ombudsman to ensure good service
delivery.
"We will continue working with the law commission and reform the
laws and we are committed to full implementation", said Chilemba.
In his response Director General of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Dennis Chipao admitted that the report tackled crucial areas and they will ensure to work out on the areas that have been addressed and there will be a positive change complimenting the positivity that is already on the ground.
"There are a lot of positive efforts that are happening on the
ground but the report has tackled crucial areas that need our attention to be
addressed," said Chipao.
The systemic investigation which erupted within one year focused on
operational areas of the department efficiency, effectiveness, inclusiveness,
responsiveness, accountability and transparency of service delivery.
