Immigration Department inaugurates office on Isles

  AS Tanzanians mark the 51st anniversary of the Union today, Immigration S e r v i c e s Department (ISD) which falls under the Union matters is progressing well, but still faces multiple challenges, Mr Sylvester Ambokile, the Principal Commissioner (PC) of Immigration Services has said.

Speaking at the opening of the building for the Immigration Services, head office at Maisara/Kilimani area in Zanzibar, Mr Ambokile said the expansion of services, improved services delivery, new buildings for offices and houses for the staff, are some of the achievements recorded over the last ten years.

“We have been working hard to achieve our goals, but the shortage of funds remains a stumbling block despite the fact that our revenue collection has been increasing annually. We request the government to review the budget for the department and increase allocation,” said Mr Ambokile.

He said some of the big challenges facing the Immigration Department include shortage of manpower, increased sophisticated crimes, lack of equipment and shortage of buildings for offices and staff.

“We need to overcome these challenges for efficiency. For example, we need to have about eight thousand staff to meet the international standard, but currently we (Immigration officers) are about three thousand…” the Principal Commissioner said, at the event officiated by President Ali Mohamed Shein on behalf of President Jakaya Kikwete.

Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Pereira Silima, said a good working environment like the new building is important in improving delivery of services and the government is determined to put up more buildings, instal equipment and avail training for its defence and security departments.

“Our founding leaders, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume thought wisely to have immigration and citizenship to fall under Union matters, as it is good to identify ourselves as Tanzanians. We need an Africa with one people and Tanzania is leading with good example,” said Dr Shein.