Zambezi gets new immigration offices, staff accommodation worth N$2.4 million

Home affairs minister Albert Kawana inaugurated new immigration offices and staff accommodation on Friday.

The facilities are allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

It was constructed at a cost of N$2.4 million at Impalila Island and Kasika in the Zambezi region.

Kawana said these areas resort under the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (Kaza TFCA) tourism hub.

Kaza members have committed to building infrastructure to facilitate the smooth movement of tourists, he said.

“The facilities we have built here are also a first step towards implementing Southern African Development Community protocol on the facilitation of movements of persons, as well as helping Africa attain continental integration,” he said.

Kawana said border officials need to be vigilant.

“This vigilance is an important approach that identifies would-be criminals from our genuine visitors and tourists,” he said.

Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu said due to the region’s geographical positioning it is faced with challenges such as illegal crossings and the smuggling of illegal goods.

He said this infrastructure development, however, will minimise these challenges and ensure the safety of inhabitants and migrants.

“Across all cardinal directions or parts of this region, people can cross to and from Botswana, Zambia, and Angola.

“Therefore, setting up crossing points in hotspot areas play a major role in minimising illegal crossing and illegal activities,” he said.