The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services (DICS) Malawi is set to receive its first marine patrol vessel from Japan to enhance security at lakeside ports of entry.

The handover ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow at Nkhata Bay Jetty, will be presided over by Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Peter Ching’oma.

Named Immigration Patrol Vessel 001 (IPV), the boat is expected to strengthen efforts against irregular migration, human trafficking, smuggling, and other transnational crimes on Lake Malawi.

Immigration spokesperson Pasqually Zulu said, “This vessel will greatly improve our capacity to patrol Lake Malawi, secure our waters, and protect Malawi’s borders.”

The patrol boat is part of a marine security project funded by the Japanese Government under the Japanese Supplementary Budget, with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This initiative marks a significant step in Malawi’s maritime security and reinforces the country’s commitment to prevent illegal activities on Lake Malawi.