WINDHOEK – Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana has described the turnaround strategy she introduced last year as a huge success.
The turnaround strategy that was launched in May last year is intended to transform the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration into a highly effective organisation with faster turnaround times, effective systems, shorter queues, efficient offices and improved customer service.
Detailing the success of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration in the National Assembly last week, Iivula-Ithana stated that significant progress has been made in the processing of IDs and passports since June 23 last year.
“Over a period of approximately three months, the backlog in both sections was completely eliminated,” said Iivula-Ithana. “The passport section had a backlog of 3 342 applications, as at June 23, 2014, and by July 10, 2014, this backlog was eliminated,” she added. She said as at July 25 last year, the ID section had a backlog of 45 861 applications but by September 10 the backlog had been cleared.
She also indicated that the backlogs within the visa, study permit, work permit and permanent resident permit sections have been considerably reduced and efforts are ongoing to eliminate these completely.
Furthermore, Iivula-Ithana announced a high-level regional rollout plan developed to ensure on-time delivery and is updated on a weekly basis using an office tracking tool.
“Detailed project plans and supporting project management tools have been created for each of the work streams to ensure on-time delivery of results,” said the minister, who has won rare public praise.
In addition, the ministry has introduced a queue management system at head office with a view to further improve customer care services, time and counter efficiency.
Furthermore, a sustainable monitoring team has been established and has started operating within the regions to ensure the improvement initiative and high operating standard are maintained at all the ministry’s offices in Windhoek and outside the city.
A business improvement staff team has been embedded into the rollout teams to retain the knowledge transferred and act as changes champions at each office.
She also used the opportunity to thank the public for their patience, co-operation and opinions expressed since the announcement of the turnaround strategy, adding that public opinions, feedback and suggestions are welcomed as they embark on “this long journey”.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration is for all of us. Let us all be part of this turnaround strategy programme, as it continues to yield tangible outcomes. The Ministry of Home Affairs is where we belong, from the cradle to the grave,” she said.