Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says more still needs to be done to enhance the management of internal security for all in the country.

And Kampyongo has noted that criminal syndicates are becoming more sophisticated due to advances in information and communication technologies.

Speaking at Government Complex, Tuesday, when he launched the 2018-2021 Ministry of Home Affairs and Drug Enforcement Commission Strategic Plans, Kampyongo revealed that the previous plan was faced by a number of challenges, which needed collaborated efforts to be curbed.

“The implementation of the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan had its own challenges and these were in the following areas: (i) Issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs); passports and travel documents, births deaths, adoption, marriage and citizenship certificates. What we need is, indeed, intensified collaboration to some of these challenges like adoptions where we have had issues,” Kampyongo said.

“I thank all you, the departments, that have got a role to play in the issue of adoption, we want to see a difference and drastic shift in the way we curb this vice as we start the year 2019; (ii) enforcement of laws and maintenance of public order, execution of the mandate through quality service delivery and prudent utilization of resources; (iii) investigations of crimes collaboration in rehabilitation of drug and psychotropic substances addicts, collaboration on …matters, collaboration in the settlement of displaced persons and former refugees, collaboration in child protection and juvenile justice, collaboration on international protocols related to security; (iv) issuance of immigration permits, passports, collaboration in the electoral process for free and fair elections, availability of accurate and reliable information and professionalism in the execution of the Ministry’s mandate.”

And he explained that more still needed to be done to enhance management of internal security.

“These challenges will continue to receive maximum attention as we embark on the 2018-2021 strategic plan. It is clear that a lot more still needs to be done to enhance the management of internal security. This is particularly so in light of the advances in information and communication technologies, which have opened a new sphere of criminal activities. As a result, criminal syndicates are becoming more sophisticated as they exploit weaknesses in the cyber space. My Ministry is, therefore, committed to addressing these concerns as we continue building on the progress made so far towards the attainment of the Vision 2030,” Kampyongo said.

He added that the strategic plans set out a bold and ambitious agenda for internal security management in Zambia.

“The 2018-2021 Ministry of Home Affairs Strategic Plan mission is to promote internal peace and security for all; [it] sets out a bold and ambitious agenda for internal security management in Zambia. The plan also seeks to position the Ministry as a strategic, efficient and effective public service institution that provides and promote internal security for a safe, secure, and peaceful Zambia,” he said.

And Kampyongo said the implementation of the plan will be done in line with the public sector vision dubbed: ‘a smart and value-centred Ministry of Home Affairs.’

“During this period, my Ministry will be guided by the following vision, which is in line with the public sector vision: ‘a smart and value-centred Ministry of Home Affairs.’ The Ministry has realised three areas of focus and related strategic results as follows: (a) provision and promotion of internal security resulting in a safer, secure and peaceful Zambia; (b) Internal security excellency resulting in a positive image and satisfied clients; (c) operational efficiency resulting in quality service provision. The strategic focus of the Ministry is to contribute to the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) in order to accelerate development effort by creating a conducive governance environment,” said Kampyongo.

Meanwhile, Kampyongo directed all members of staff at his Ministry to align their day-to-day activities to achieving the plan.