The printing of passports has been put on hold due to a malfunction in the Immigration Department’s printing machine. Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration, Sitiveni Rabuka, confirmed that technical difficulties are impacting passport production, including emergency applications.
Rabuka explained the situation, stating, “There has been a glitch, and that has stopped a lot of passport printing. As a result, many emergency applications, along with other passport issuances, will not be processed.” This incident is a continuation of earlier issues reported in August when the Immigration Department reported similar technical difficulties with its passport printers.
During that timeframe, the then permanent secretary for Immigration, Mason Smith, had reassured the public of the department’s efforts to resolve the situation, expressing appreciation for citizens’ patience.
Currently, many citizens and residents find themselves unable to obtain new or renewed passports as the government calls for understanding while the issue is addressed. However, the Immigration Department has yet to provide an estimated timeline for when normal operations will resume.
Despite these challenges, it is worth noting that the government is actively working towards resolving the issue and has shown a commitment to keeping the public informed with updates as they become available. Such transparency can foster a sense of trust and reassurance during this period of inconvenience.
In summary, while the temporary suspension of passport printing has created obstacles for many, it underscores the importance of the government’s prompt communication and its dedication to mitigating the disruption as efficiently as possible.
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