Mozambique is introducing innovations in the Proof of Life model to combat the existence of phantom state officials and agents. The pilot phase of the process is using biometrics.

According to the Director of Planning at the Ministry of State Administration and Civil Service, there is an awareness of the constraints that workers go through during the process, all the more so because they do it every month in long queues.

"We're currently working on a pilot project for biometric Proof of Life, which will be done via telephone. Each employee, using their smartphone, will be able to take the Proof of Life at home or anywhere else, without having to go to the point where the Proof of Life is taken," explained Bisa Novela this morning during an interview with Rádio Moçambique, as part of the institution's 9th Coordinating Council in Matola.

She said that the use of biometrics could create the conditions to modernize the current Proof of Life process, which is excessively bureaucratic, and "allow the official to have autonomy" in carrying it out.

"He will have access to all his data via his cell phone and will be able to enter the information requested and prove his life without having to stand in queues," he said, noting that the innovation will reduce logistical costs for consumables throughout the process.

"We have this innovative aspect to the proof of life. In the meantime, the government will soon pronounce itself on the decision to approve the implementation of the biometric proof of life in a pilot phase," he reassured.

Also on Thursday (03), at the opening of the IX Coordinating Council, the Minister responsible, Ana Comoane, said that the non-face-to-face biometric Proof of Life is being carried out successfully and has already benefited 199 employees from various central-level institutions.

"[This] encourages us to expand the process to more institutions, including the local level, certain that the gains from this qualitative leap are enormous, as the whole system of managing proof of life is more flexible, efficient, saving time and resources for both the state and the state officials and agents themselves," he said.