Passport Backlog Triggers Official Apology
The Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration has publicly apologized for extended delays in issuing passports and nationality documents. The directorate linked the disruption to unpaid fees owed to the company producing official booklets, a bottleneck that has slowed service delivery.
Immigration Director General Addresses Eye Radio Interview
Speaking on Eye Radio’s Sundown Show on Thursday, Director General of Immigration Major General Elia Costa Faustino said the delays were outside his office’s control. He attributed the problem to the government’s failure to settle payments with a foreign supplier responsible for passport and nationality ID booklets (Eye Radio).
Non-Payment Disrupts Booklet Production
Major General Costa said non-payment interrupted production of passport and nationality ID booklets. As a result, thousands of applicants have reportedly waited for months without receiving documents, according to his account of the administrative and supply-chain constraints affecting issuance (Eye Radio).
Direct Quotes: ‘We Apologize to Our People’
“We apologize to our people for the delay in issuing passports and nationality documents,” Major General Costa said (Eye Radio).
He added: “This delay is not our fault but is due to the non-payment of fees to the company that produces the passport and nationality ID booklets. This has caused delays up to this moment” (Eye Radio).
New Agreement Signals Service Normalisation
Major General Costa said the situation is expected to improve after a new agreement was reached with the company. He indicated the department would soon announce the resumption of normal services, with processing expected to become faster and more reliable once supplies stabilise (Eye Radio).
“Soon, we will announce to the public that there will be no more delays. Everything will be available, and whenever you apply for a passport or nationality card, you will receive it without delay,” he said (Eye Radio).
Public Frustration and Calls for Transparency
The apology comes amid public frustration, with citizens citing long waiting periods and limited communication from immigration offices. Some applicants have raised concerns on social media and radio talk shows, questioning transparency around the backlog and the expected timeframes for delivery (Eye Radio).
Next Steps: Statement on Procedures and Timelines
Major General Costa urged the public to remain calm, saying the directorate aims to restore confidence through improved service delivery. He also said an official statement will be issued soon, detailing new procedures and timelines for passport and nationality processing (Eye Radio).