National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore is reporting that Dominica has so far issued 82,165 ePassports.
The new passport which replaces the machine-readable one, contains both overt and covert security features that are woven into the design as well as a microchip that is used to authenticate the passport holder’s identity, and adheres to the highest international standard.
“Applications as of the month of June, which is this month, are currently being dealt with. As of today 82,165 ePassports have been issued,” he said.
Blackmoore took the opportunity to highly commend the head of the immigration department and the entire staff, “and of course by extension the permanent secretary and the tremendous support that cabinet and the Prime Minister have given to this program.”
“I say a program because we are transitioning from the machine-readable passports to a new passport,” he noted.
Blackmoore said that he is pleased to have seen the improvement made over the months.
“What we shall be doing, we shall be continuing to improve the processes with the express purpose of ensuring that applicants are able to get their passport in the quickest most effective manner without compromising the security and imperative of that process,” he stated. “So in due time, we shall announce additional improvements we have been able to make, to ensure that we improve the system, the approaches, the process and to ensure that Dominicans upon application can receive their passports as quickly as possible.”
According to the Canadian Bank Note Company Limited which designed and created the new passports, they have incorporated a modern and aesthetic design that reflects the nature of Dominica and displays the country’s landmarks, flora, and fauna.
During the launching ceremony of the new passports on July 26, 2021, Blackmoore, who was instrumental in the project, revealed that in 2019, before the last election, government had taken the decision to inject US$6,049,000 to migrate from the machine-readable passport to the new biometric/ePassport as well as an issuing system.
He highlighted one of the benefits of the new passport – an electronic chip embedded in it that is equipped with biometric capabilities and facial recognition.
Blackmore you are a LIAR. you told people they would not get a new passport after December 2022. and that the old one will be useless. UTTER BS.
How about an update on the unsolved disappearences, and crimes, that are are happening in the country?
That’s the guy, Blackmore, a stuttering and lisping nobrainer, a square peg in a round hole, that was stuttering garbage and putrified rubbish recently, because he wanted to stall an opposition and civic groups Electoral Reform meeting.
I don’t trust anything done by Blackmore, liar Skerrit and the rest of the gang. There is always more than the eye can see in their every move…The real reason for the e-passport we shall soon discover..!!
Agree, I couldn’t have said it any better.
In terms of it’s biometrics upgrade the passport certainly seems more secure and the minister”s commendation to the staff
for their labour very appropriate.. However it still pales in comparison to the previous passport which flora and fauna images on the pages were much brighter and more resonant. A significant contrast.
In terms of it’s biometrics upgrade the passport certainly seems more secure and the minister”s commendation to the staff
for their labour is much in place. However it still pales in comparison to the previous passport which flora and fauna images on the pages were much more resonant.
What would have been the hurt to allow people to use their existing passports and renew to the new format after expiration of the old passport.
I have seen transition to new passports from the country where I now live and never have I had to renew my old passport before the expiration of the old.
I am not sure what the hurry was to have people pay for a new passport when the old one was a perfectly good travel document.
Yes, and so are most passports around the world nowadays, for a while now.
By the way National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore, any update as to why the Canadians have excluded Dominica from visa-free travel to Canada? Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit any word? At least the Prime Minister of Grenada has explained the failings of the previous administration for this, what about the Commonwealth of Dominica? Any explanation folks? Is it the UWP fault? Is it Freedom party fault? Is it the new Opposition fault? Blame it on the Sisserou Parrot it like to talk to damn much! Oh no, it’s missing in action, it is still in Germany! Just don’t blame it on our twenty plus years Labour government.