North to start printing passports next year

In an effort to curb congestion of people seeking passports in the country, government has further decentralised printing of the travel documents with the Northern Region Immigration Office launching the exercise early next year.

Speaking during a familiarisation tour in Mzuzu last week, Minister of Home Affairs, Paul Chibingu, disclosed that government has purchased four printers which will be allocated to Central and Northern regions immigration offices.

“Government is committed to addressing the challenges applicants are facing to have their passports processed. That is why we have decided to decentralise the printing of passports to regional offices,” said Chibingu, addressing hordes of passport applicants.

The minister then appealed to the applicants to avoid bribing immigration officers to have their passports processed.

“It is their [officers] obligation to assist you when you are following up on your passport,” he said.

Regional immigration officer for the North, Nelson Kankhande, said the department is facing a lot of challenges to execute its operation.

“The region is near to borders where one of the crucial issues is illegal immigration. We intercept a high number of illegal immigrants, mainly from Ethiopia, who have now beaten our system by using boats to enter the country,” said Kankhande.

In his response, the minister assured that government will ensure the department’s operations are not affected due to insufficient resources.