THE Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security under the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship (DNRPC) has urged the public to apply for passports only when necessary, discouraging what it termed as treating passports like a “fashion” accessory.
Speaking during a tour at DNRPC offices in Lusaka today, the Ministry’s head public relations officer Collins Hikalinda revealed that the passport office in Lusaka is currently congested with over 1000 uncollected passports.
Hikalinda stated that despite the public accusing the passport offices of being inefficient, most applicants never show up to collect their documents after applying.
He disclosed that the office is working efficiently with more booklets in stock.
Hikalinda added that the office was currently in possession of uncollected documents dating from as far back as 2021.
“The passport office is doing its work efficiently, we have some uncollected passports as from far back as 2021. These passports are pending , they need to be collected by applicants – more than a thousand passports.”
“There should be a genuine cause why you apply for a passport other than having a heap of uncollected passports in this manner,” he said.
Hikalinda appealed to applicants who have not collected their passports between 2021 and 2023 to do so promptly.
“We appeal to all the applicants who may not have collected their passports from 2021 to 2023 to come over and collect their passports. Don’t say that they are taking long to issue passports, that they are inefficient, that they are corrupt when there are these documents which have been processed,” said Hikalinda.
Meanwhile, Hikalinda explained that the passport office had no agents therefore applicants or prospective applicants must ensure that they don’t involve any third party as they try to get their travelling documents.
“Commission your document at the Ministry or judiciary, the police or any other authorised commissioner of oaths. We had a problem with booklets but we now have. Getting a passport should not be a matter of fashion, there must be a reason. We have no agents in the issuing of passports,” he emphasised.
Home Affairs spokesperson further said the passport office has resolved past problems such as shortages of booklets and now issues passports within the stipulated 14 to 21 working days.
Hikalinda assured the public that government is committed to improving service delivery by addressing the work ethic and attitudes of officers at the Centre.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 11, 2024
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