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Malawi inaugurates new traffic information system

The Malawi Department of Road Traffic has taken a major step forward with the introduction of the state-of-the-art Malawi Traffic Information System (MalTIS). This system successfully addresses numerous functional problems which have besieged the department over the years, says Malawi Minister of Transport and Public Works, S.D. Kaliyoma Phumisa.

Face Technologies, a subsidiary company of South African IT company, arivia.kom, was awarded the R25m contract in 1998 and has successfully completed the first phase of this major project.

The new system was implemented after the government instituted a new road traffic law in 1997, which among other things, is aimed at redressing the shortfalls in the legal framework and providing for the adoption of modern techniques in traffic management and control, in order to root out rampant traffic indiscipline.

Says Face Technologies Operations Manager, Jake Ellis: "Malawi has led the way in the computerisation and development of their road traffic department and this achievement has given the Malawi government a cutting edge, boosting the Malawi government to be a major role player in the SADC region."

The first phase of the project involved conversion of the previous driving licences to the new SADC driving licence cards, learners' licence applications and authorisations, drivers' licence applications and authorisations, professional driving permit (PrDP) applications and authorisations, and card production, quality assurance, dispatching and issuing.

The new credit card format has been produced according to the SADC protocol and incorporates full colour cards with various state-of-the art security features including biometrics and UV markings.

Ellis says that Face Technologies is presently implementing the second component of the project which involves motor vehicle registration and licensing (MVR) with an estimated 200 000 cars which need to be re-registered onto the new system.

The final component is the border control component, which will serve three border crossing points. Implementation on the border control system will begin after the acceptance of the motor vehicle registration and licensing system, but preparatory work is already in progress.

For further details contact Tania Hogg, Face Technologies on tel: (012) 663 7522.

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