BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Just 25 days after the opening of Auki passport office during the Malaita 2nd Appointed Day celebration last month, the first batch of 24 Malaitans have already received their passports. The second batch consisted of 28 applicants who expect to receive their passports next week.
A great beginning for the newly established office, as it indicates thrives for this much needed service in Malaita province.
And with these 52 passports, the Auki Inland Revenue has collected an approximate SBD51,000 from the service, which is another contribution into the national coffer.
Thus, this is just the beginning and Auki passport office expects well more than applicants received so far, over the coming weeks and months.
Premier Elijah Asilaua, PS Eric George, Senior Immigration officer in Auki, Mr Selwyn Ramoni and his staff, Mr Micah Aaisango joined the first batch of recipients with their passports in a photo session.
The photo session aimed to highlight landmark accomplishment of the undertaking in the partnership between national government through Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and the people and provincial government of Malaita.
“Since the establishment of the passport office, Malaitans expressed gratitude to both the provincial and national government for this great undertaking.
“One of the common sentiments shared by people coming to office is the service is cheap here rather than going to Honiara which is expensive and also causes economic pressure on relatives,” Ramoni said.
He said this is however one of the aims to establish passport office in Auki.
Ramoni also said that while supplement services such as police and medical clearance, ID photos and declarations are offer in Auki, the service is much cheaper for people.
He said although the office is just a month into service, demand for the service is high as they are receiving piles of applicants after the first and second batches of applicants.
Provincial Secretary of Malaita province Mr Eric George acknowledged GNUT through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration for seeing it fit to decentralize this needed service to Malaita province.
He said Malaita provincial government will continue to work in close cooperation with the national government on other areas of development on the service for the province.
Premier Elijah Asilaua also expressed gratitude on behalf of his government to GNUT and MCILI for this milestone undertaking which is now materialize for Malaitans.
“I am so happy to see the achievement made by Auki passport office so far, and more to come as my government are working on supplementary support to the service.
“My advice is the passport is now at our doorstep and I urge Malaitans, who may have need of the service to make great use of it,” he said.
