The Tanzanian government is finalizing plans for the establishment of e-border management control system aimed at improving security at border points and increase revenues.
In the ongoing parliament meetings, the Minister for Home Affairs, Kangi Lugola told the lawmakers that the new system will be operational from July 2019. He also noted that the government will in the 2019/2020 start using e-passport permit and e-visa in all Tanzanian embassies outside the country.
Tabling the 2019/2020 ministerial budget estimates, the minister said the electronic immigration services has shown great success both locally and internationally, citing recent recognition of Tanzanian passport by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The minister said asked the Parliament to approve Tshs.921.2 billion ($400.2 million) for the 2019/2020 financial year whereby Tshs.889.3 million ($386,652) is for recurrent expenditure and Tshs.372.2 billion ($161.8 million) for other expenses and Tshs.517 billion ($224 million) is for salaries.
He said Tshs.31.9 billion ($13.8 million) for development expenditure, whereby Tshs.21.5 billion ($9.3 million) from internal sources while Tshs.10.4 billion ($4.5 million) from external sources.
On the number of visitors to the country, Lugola said about 957,977 people entering the country between July 2018 and March, 2019 compared to 1,021,071 who visited the country in 2017/18.
About 950,507 foreigners left the country compared to 954,926 who left the country in 2017/18. He also stated that during the same period 293 foreigners were denied entry into the country for failure to meet immigration department requirements.
On the same note, some 1,015 Tanzanians who went to foreign countries without following the rightful immigration procedures were returned into the country whereas a total of 5,604 illegal immigrants were repatriated to their countries of origin.
The minister also said following regular operations in the country, a total of 9,610 illegal immigrants were arrested in the country and handed over to various law enforcing organs.
He noted that big criminals cases reported at police stations in the country reached 45,574 between July, 2018 and March,2019 compared to 47,236 reports during the same period in 2017/2018.
He said the deadline in criminal cases is mainly due o early identification by intelligence forces, cooperation with members of the public and the police, increased surveillance and special operations in both urban and rural areas.
The minister further stated that out of the cases mentioned, 17613 of them with 37,267 culprits were filed in courts. About 27,943 are at different stages of investigations and those involved will soon appear in courts.
Speaking on the rate of road accidents in the country, Lugola said deaths caused by accidents were 1,216 compared to 1,985 deaths in 2017/2018, meaning decrease of 769 deaths, equivalent to 38.7 per cent.
The number of those injured in accidents during the same period also decreased from 4,447 in 2017/2018 to 2,639 in 2018/2019, being 40.7 per cent.
The minister told the House that the ministry will in 2019/2020 employ 3,725 police officers to increase the number of the law enforcers.
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