Government officers working at Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) have been urged to embrace team work as they offer services at the facility.
Speaking to the officers during a visit at the facility on Friday, Principal Secretary for Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa noted that border areas had several challenges that could not be handled by a single government.
“It is very important to unite and we are not going to encourage any unit to work alone,” he said adding that no single entity was superior to the other.
Kihalangwa at the same time urged the officers to ensure that all goods pass through the designated OSBP for accountability purposes.
“This is an era of terrorism and we must strive to protect our country by ensuring that there is security at both sides,” he said.
The PS further advised the officers to embrace professionalism because Kenyans have entrusted them with such duties.
“You were not brought to this border to make life difficult neither were you brought here to allow illegal things to pass,” he said adding that decisions reached must be made in writing.
Kihalangwa further stated that the officers should not make unnecessary restrictions but explain to the people why they were taking some actions.
He further noted that there were certain irregularities taking place along the border by assisting brokers or collusion by some government officers.
“That must stop because there are certain things that portray a negative image of the country either security wise or economically.”
The official at the same time reminded all government heads of departments to attend all meetings convened by the County Commissioner adding that it was mandatory.
“We are not begging you to attend but you must attend because he is in a position to convey the challenges you are facing to the relevant authorities,” he empasized.
He was accompanied by border management officers from Nairobi including National Police Service, Immigration, KRA and KEPHIS in his tour to check on the OSBP operations and challenges faced.
The team toured both Sophia and Marachi buffer zones which are being considered for the construction of Jumuiya market. On Thursday, the team visited both Malaba and Lwakhaha borders.
By Salome Alwanda
