Govt reiterates commitment to improve workers conditions

–Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nickson Chilangwa, says the Patriotic Front government is committed to improving working conditions for members of staff in all units under his ministry.

Mr Chilangwa said as such the Ministry of Home Affairs has embarked on a project to construct houses for staff and construction of police stations and posts throughout the country.

The deputy minister, who is on a familiarization tour of North-Western Province, said this during his tour of units under his ministry that included, Police, Drug Enforcement Commission, (DEC) Immigration, National Registration Passport and Citizen and Prisons in Solwezi today.

He said the ministry is also in the process of procuring necessary operational equipment to enhance service delivery.

Mr Chilangwa said it is government’s intention to motivate officers in his ministry so that they deliver to the people’s expectations, adding that a de-motivated officer is a dangerous officer.

Meanwhile, all units under the Ministry of Home Affairs have indicated to the minister that they are faced with big challenges in transport, manpower and office infrastructure.

Drug Enforcement Commission Regional Commander, Elizabeth Mumba, told the deputy minister that her command in the vast province is only serviced by one reliable operational vehicle.

Ms Mumba added that the provincial office is squatting at the department of works and supply premises and expressed hope that the staff accommodation construction project will also include office space infrastructure.

The Immigration Department officials also told the minister that despite the province bordering two countries, Congo DR and Angola, only Kipushi border with the Congo DR has a vehicle.

At police, Provincial Commissioner of Police, Eugine Sibote, also raised similar challenges of transport and inadequate office space infrastructure among others.

Mr Sibote said because of transport challenges it is difficult for police officers to quickly respond to calls that may arise especially that distances between districts are quite far apart.