By JAMES APA GUMUNO
FOREIGNERS are able to enter and stay in the country illegally with ease because of the country’s weak laws and lack of enforcement, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Sam Abal said yesterday.
He said the enforcement agencies lacked the resources because of insufficient funding.
He added that for a start, he would clean up the Foreign Affairs and Immigration Department even it required closing it down for a month.
He said he would restructure the department, review the policies and get weak laws amended to ensure prevention of corruption, efficiency and restore the public’s confidence.
“When the restructure is approved by the Department of Personnel Management sometime in December, new young graduates will be employed,” he told The National.
Mr Abal, who served in the department in the 1980s, said he had spoken to authorities in three countries who had indicated that they were prepared to assist in the training.
He said that during his time, people viewed the department positively.
“Today, it is a mess,” he said.
“The problem had to be dealt with systematically and professionally.
“I will need to look at the department’s current manpower and other resources.”
Mr Abal said the department was a very important arm of the Government and could help to provide a positive image of the country.
He was confident he could improve the department because “as a former staff, I know where some of the problem areas are”.