With the introduction of the new online applications for passports and short-term employment permits of up to six months, there will be no more corrupt activities when obtaining national documents.
This was said by Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Minister, Albert Kawana, when he launched the online system under the theme ‘Moving to Digital World,’ here on Wednesday.
Kawana said some Namibians sell national documents such as passports to foreigners, which poses a national security risk.
He said the online system will reduce the wasteful costs for clients as they now have the advantage of completing all relevant forms online and uploading all the required documents by the press of a button, adding that payments will also be done online via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
“We remain confident that the greater public will derive immense benefits by utilising the online web-based application from the comfort of their homes, whether in Namibia or abroad, through desktops, laptops and other mobile devices,” he boasted.
The Minister further noted that through the online application and booking of preferred time-slot, queues will be drastically reduced at the ministry’s counters countrywide; equally high volume of papers such as application forms and other required documents will drastically be reduced with improved service delivery.
“Applicants will directly liaise with the ministry, instead of operating through an agent or office officials who in the manual processes remain prone to making mistakes. Through direct service delivery, we will be able to cut out the ‘middle person’ dealings and save our customers from some scammers and unscrupulous individuals, who at a time charge exorbitant fees to their clients,” he said.
Kawana noted that the Short-Term Employment Permit which is valid for a maximum period of six months is normally issued to non-Namibians who seek approval to work temporarily in Namibia for donor-funded projects, Multinational companies, as well as Namibian companies under certain conditions, such as scarce professional skills.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
