By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THE Luapula Province administration has embarked on measures to tighten border security between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo said in an interview that the border between Zambia and the DRC was huge and pourous and was therefore a source of concern for his administration.
Mr Kasolo said to effectively deal with the problem, it would cost Zambia a lot of money but said that his administration was handling the situation in stages.
“We are now handling the issue from two points, through the joint security commission of DRC and Zambia through the Provincial Joint Operations Commission (PJOC).
“The other point is the setting up of the provincial marine squad,” he said.
Mr Kasolo said PJOC of Luapula Province and Katanga Province of DRC were currently holding talks on how to solidify the relationship between the security forces of the two countries.
He said it was the view of the PJOC that the security forces of the two countries should set up a border commission that would ensure that the security on the borders was strengthened.
Mr Kasolo said the police and Immigration Department was doing its best but it was not enough to keep people without proper documentation from crossing the borders.
As for the marine squad, Mr Kasolo said, it was expected to start operating in eight months time.
He said the marines had already started training at a camp in Kawambwa.
Mr Kasolo said he was hopeful that the two measures would help reduce the number of people crossing the borders in Luapula Province illegally.