As Dominica continues in its quest to eliminate the Machine-readable passports into the E-Passports, National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has praised the work done by the Passport and Immigration department and staff over the past year.
Dominica, last year launched the E-Passport and has given a time frame of August 31, 2022, to ensure that citizens get the new passport.
At a ceremony held to give an update, Blackmoore stated that “it is absolutely important that we migrate to our E-Passport in the quickest and most effective manner…the government of Dominica has taken a decision to shorten the migration period and we are doing well so far.”
During the month of June, they will be going to the French and Dutch St. Maarten and then to the USVI to assist Dominicans in getting the E-Passports.
While acknowledging having a few challenges, Blackmoore stated that they are “closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the system is not compromised in any shape or form.”
He also disclosed that during the national outreach programme 936 E-Passports were processed and to date, they have so far issued 24,000 E-Passports.
“Over 24,000 E-Passports have been issued and you as staff are worthy of commendation”, Blackmoore said as he praised the passports and immigration department headed by Inspector Deryck St. Rose.
Blackmoore revealed that it was “absolutely important to communicate with the public and it was also absolutely important to move to the E-Passport.”
The Minister has called on Dominicans to continue to apply for the E-Passport. Asked if the cost will increase, he replied that for now, “Government is absorbing the cost since to just get the pages cost US68.00.