Tanzania trains over 300 officials on immigration procedures to combat illegal immigration

Moshi. The Tanzania Regional Immigration Training Institute (TRITA) has trained more than 300 officials from the government and private institutions on immigration procedures since its inception.

The Tanzania Immigration Department commissioner for training and development, Mr Amiru Sadik, made the statement recently when opening the Essentials of Migration Management Training in Moshi Town, Kilimanjaro Region.

"This training is intended to build the capacity to develop the practical ability of immigration department employees and stakeholders on national and international immigration issues. This will enable them to efficiently deal with the influx wave of illegal immigrants in the country,” he said.

Mr Sadik, who represented the Commissioner General of Immigration (CGI), Dr Anna Makakala, said the training aimed at strengthening immigration services, including filing out online applications without making mistakes.

He said the training participants will also gain knowledge related to the provision of immigration services, therefore helping foreigners and building a common understanding of immigrant procedures.

According to him, the training will help immigration stakeholders build good relations to access the information on their guests expected to enter the country.

"Some institutions were ignorant of immigration requirements facilitating the entry of a foreigner with a travel visa prompting them to be denied employment opportunities,” he said.

“This occurs due to a lack of information about the need to obtain the relevant permit and renewals. Therefore, providing education significantly addresses the challenge,” he added.

The TRITA head principal assistant commissioner of immigration, Ms Hoja Mahiba said the institution has been providing immigration education to regional officers since its inception in 2007.

"However, the service has been extended to other areas such as foreign investors, and members of the privately owned institutions whose duties are connected with immigration issues", she said.

She said one of the training achievements included the strengthening of the cooperation between the immigration department and other stakeholders.

One of the training participants, Mr Mohamed Almas, said the illegal immigration challenge had been fuelled by the lack of patriotism among some citizens and hence opting to cooperate with immigrants for personal gain.

“Some citizens have been concealing important information about illegal immigrants after being promised to get material benefits. This dishonest cooperation can easily disrupt the country’s peace and security,” he said.