Technical difficulties have recently impacted passport processing in Fiji, leading to significant delays, as explained by the Minister for Immigration, Viliame Naupoto. In a recent interview with The Fiji Times, he outlined how the passport printing system, which is based in Germany, experienced a temporary disruption due to a critical reboot necessary to maintain data integrity.
The reboot, which took several days, was essential to prevent any potential data loss. Naupoto explained that communication issues between the various immigration systems were primarily responsible for the delays, rather than a shortage of blank passports. He mentioned that the current systems used by Fiji’s immigration rely on technology sourced from multiple countries, including Sri Lanka and India, which have struggled to work cohesively.
To improve passport issuance, Fiji is in the process of trialing a new integrated system called MIDAS at its border checkpoints. Naupoto noted that ideally, a single unified system could eradicate many of the communication problems currently faced. He pointed out that countries such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have successfully implemented such systems, which prompted staff visits to evaluate their effectiveness.
The current challenges offer an opportunity for the government to enhance the technological framework and improve service delivery to citizens. Continued investment in modernizing these systems could lead to a more efficient passport application process, which is crucial as demand for travel documents rises.
The government has ordered an additional 100,000 passports, expected in two batches in May and June of next year, which will help alleviate some of the existing shortages. While many Fijians are currently facing delays and frustrations, these steps signal a commitment to resolving the issues and improving the overall immigration services moving forward.
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