Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale has donated 21 office chairs to the Southern Region Immigration Office, using his personal money in a move aimed at improving staff working conditions and strengthening service delivery.
The donation, received by Commissioner Maxwell Makoko, who is responsible for administration at the Department of Immigration, is expected to help address some of the office’s furniture needs and create a more conducive working environment for immigration personnel.
Makoko welcomed the gesture, describing it as a contribution towards improving office operations and supporting the work of immigration officers.
Chisale’s donation comes at a time when Malawi’s immigration services are facing renewed pressure over passport shortages, with the country reportedly having exhausted its annual allocation of 100,000 passport books under an agreement signed between the previous administration and Madras.
The shortage has raised concerns among citizens who depend on passports for employment opportunities, education, business and international travel.
Commenting on the situation, Chisale said the government was working on amending the inherited agreement to address the supply challenges.
He expressed optimism that the proposed changes would help resolve the problem by creating room to review the annual passport allocation and ensure supplies better reflect the growing demand from the public.
The proposed amendment could therefore become an important step towards improving passport availability and reducing the difficulties faced by applicants.
Chisale’s contribution of 21 chairs offers immediate support to the Southern Region Immigration Office, while his remarks on the passport agreement have placed renewed attention on the government’s responsibility to ensure reliable access to essential immigration services.
For many Malawians, however, the bigger expectation remains a sustainable passport supply system that allows citizens to obtain travel documents without prolonged uncertainty.
