BMA says border system now fully integrated ahead of festive season

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says it is entering the festive season with a fully stabilised, integrated structure after three years of consolidating seven government agencies into a single border-control system. 

Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato states that the once-fragmented multi-agency model has been replaced by unified command and control, common operating procedures and a shared organisational culture across immigration, customs, health, agricultural and environmental biosecurity units.

"The key challenges have really been to build this single organisation, create a single organisation where various standard operating procedures have to be done away with. Ultimately, we create a single standard operating procedure, make sure that we bring efficiencies into the space, but more critically, make sure that we infuse different cultures and create a single culture within the Border Management Authority."

Masiapato says extensive "software training" - focusing on ethics, vigilance, customer service and national interest - was needed to harmonise different institutional cultures without drifting into xenophobia or toxic nationalism.

To listen to Dr Michael Masiapato in conversation with 702's Aubrey Masango, click the audio below: