The issuance 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 the situation, stating that technical difficulties have disrupted the production of all passports, including those needed in emergencies.
“This is certainly a breakdown of the passport printing machine,” Mr. Rabuka explained, noting that the malfunction has resulted in a halt to several passport processes. This includes urgent applications that many citizens rely on.
This recent interruption follows an earlier issue reported in August, when the Immigration Department first communicated to the public about technical challenges with the passport printers. At that time, the former permanent secretary for Immigration, Mason Smith, acknowledged the suspension of passport printing and apologized for the inconvenience, assuring the public that updates would be shared once the situation improved.
The current suspension means that many individuals are unable to obtain new or renewed passports, leading to frustrations among citizens. The government has urged patience as they work to resolve the problem, although there is currently no specified timeline for when normal printing services will resume.
In summary, the temporary halt in passport printing is due to ongoing technical difficulties, causing delays for many who need passports urgently. While this situation is undoubtedly inconvenient, it is commendable that the government is actively communicating with the public and seeking to restore services as quickly as possible. With time and effort, this issue will be resolved, allowing citizens to once again access the essential services they need.
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