Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Monday urged staff of the Legal Aid Institute (IPAJ) not to become involved in acts of corruption, and to provide good quality services to vulnerable and needy citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new IPAJ headquarters in Maputo, Nyusi said there is no remuneration for IPAJ work “and I hope that you don’t make illicit charges. I have never heard of cases of that sort here in your institution, and I hope it stays that way”.
“It’s good that there should be sensitivity about human relations”, he added. “You work free of charge. You know that all people deserve justice”.
The new building cost the Mozambican state over 690 million meticais (about 10.8 million dollars at the current exchange rate). Nyusi said the new IPAJ headquarters is part of the government’s commitment to ensure that all state bodies are functioning in decent premises, and also to guarantee that everywhere in the country citizens have access to justice.
“With this modern building, the challenge remains for IPAJ to provide good quality services that meet the requirements of Mozambicans”, declared the President. He urged IPAJ, not only to defend individual and collective rights, but also to step up its actions to protect the environment.
The IPAJ General Director, Justino Tonela, said the continual challenge facing IPAJ is to ensue a presence in all the country’s districts, including those in the northern province of Cabo Delgado where its installations have been destroyed in terrorist attacks.
In addition to providing legal aid to citizens who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, IPAJ is also tasked with promoting human rights and respect for legality and the rule of law. It also has an educational function in publicising the rights and duties of citizens.
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