Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has star ted the deployment of the Migration In format ion and Data Analysis System (Midas) to enhance the country’s border management Information system.
The system has been f inanced by the World Bank but it was designed and is being set up by the United Nations International Organisation for Immigration (IOM).
processes. | Singayazi Kaminjolo
The deployment process has started with training of frontline immigration officers.
In his remarks during the opening of Midas User Training at the Regional Immigrat ion Of f ices in Lilongwe yesterday, IOM chief of mission Nomagugu Hanyana descr ibed the system as a powerful tool designed to st reamline and enhance immigration processes , by ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and security at the borders.
She said the system also allows the capturing of data that will enable the Immigration Department to make information decisions and that there is the possibility of queuing travellers against Interpol, which enhances the security element.
Said Hanyana : “ It accommodates the visa processing, the time the person departs, arrival at the point of entry and also their stay.”
She said the training is a crucial step towards the eventual handover of the Midas system to the Malawi Government in March.
According to Hanyana the system has already been deployed in 42 countries across the world, and in Malawi it will be deployed to all 17 entry points, including the two international airports.
Department of Immigration Commissioner for operations Fletcher Taonga Nyirenda said the department has been predominantly manual which limited efficiency.
He said: “We are trying to modernise by automating the systems at entry points and are now rolling out the system at 17 border entries including the airports.”
Participants are being drilled on how to navigate the Midas system, from logging in and scanning travel documents to capturing fingerprints and recording visa data.
