The government of Malawi has extended its contract with E-Tech, the current supplier of passports to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, for an additional three months.
This decision comes after the initial six-month contract expired at the end of August.
Speaking on the matter, Principal Secretary for Homeland Security Steve Kayuni said the current extension is part of the government’s strategy to bridge the gap between temporary fixes and a more sustainable system
He added that they are in the process of establishing a long-term solution for passport issuance in the country.
“There is no change in any way. Temporary solutions and permanent solutions were always part of the strategy. Nothing has changed in that process. The procurement process is still underway, and the government has granted a three-month extension to E-Tech while these processes continue under the guidelines of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA),” Kayuni said.
PPDA spokesperson Kate Kujaliwa also confirmed the development.
She said the Ministry of Homeland Security had sought guidance from the PPDA on preparing bidding documents for a new passport supplier, in line with the PPDA Act of 2017.
The Act mandates PPDA to provide advisory services to procuring entities, including assistance in preparing bidding documents.
“The Ministry of Homeland Security, through the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services, requested advice on how to prepare its bidding documents for the procurement of the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the E-Passport Issuance System (E-PIS). The PPDA has provided the necessary guidance to the department,” Kujaliwa said.
The development comes after the Ministry of Homeland Security had assured the public last month that passport services would not be interrupted.
In August this year, Kayuni told The Daily Times that they were ensuring that there is no gap in the issuance of passports, at a time the contract with E-Techno Systems was set to expire at the end of that month.
That time, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) had, in a letter addressed to Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda on August 12 this year, asked the government to revert to the former service provider, citing a proven track record.
“Cdedi has established that the Malawi Government is in the process of procuring a new passport supplier following the expiry of the K897 million six-month E-Techno Systems contract this August end,” the letter, which the organisation’s executive director Silvester Namiwa signed, reads.
“Cdedi, on behalf of millions of Malawians, implore you, Hon AG, to use powers vested in you, as principal legal adviser to government, to halt this ridiculous decision…,” Namiwa added.
And, in a letter dated August 13 2024, Chakaka Nyirenda acknowledged receipt of the letter from Cdedi.
He, however, quashed the organisation’s request to bring back former service provider Techno Brain.
“Your organisation’s proposal to bring back Techno Brain is illegal as it is contrary to the PPDA Act on public procurement procedures,” the letter reads.
The department has maintained the daily printing capacity of 800 passports despite a recent upgrade.
Recently, the department completed maintenance on its system.
The maintenance reportedly focused on streamlining internal processes rather than increasing the printing capacity.
Department spokesperson Wellington Chiponde said while the printing capacity remained the same, the department had made strides in enhancing service delivery.
“Our goal was to address backlog issues and reduce congestion in our offices. By doing this, we aim to offer a more efficient and valuable service to all Malawians,” Chiponde said.
He also expressed confidence that the improvements would lead to shorter waiting times at the department’s offices.
“We are working on minimising long queues and improving the service experience. Additionally, Malawians can now access passport application forms online, making the process more convenient,” Chiponde said.
He also said the department was expected to resume passport services at its Mangochi office soon.
“Reopening the Mangochi office will reduce travel distances for many [service seekers] and make it easier for people in that [eastern] region to access our services,” Chiponde said.
Recently, Salim Bagus, who is Chairperson for the Security and Defence Committee of Parliament, suggested that acquiring additional machines could further address challenges related to passport issuance.
Earlier, Information and Digitalisation Minister Moses Kunkuyu said the government was committed to improving the system.
“Although the reopening of offices in Blantyre and Mzuzu may not have had an immediate impact, it is gradually easing congestion. We ask for the public’s patience as we work through these improvements,” Kunkuyu said.
After the suspension of passport printing services in February due to a system glitch, which President Lazarus Chakwera attributed to hacking by digital mercenaries, Dics resumed operations in March.
This is happening as the government is focusing on a long-term solution to problems that are affecting the department.
