(JollofNews) – The spokesperson of Gambia presidency has announced that the issuance of biometric passport is now mandatory as the traditional one is no more accepted around the world.
“The information we got is that the non-biometric passport is not accepted. That is why a decision has been taken on the issuance of biometric passport,” Amie Bojang Sissoho told journalists during a
presser held at State House , Fajara.
Gambia government’s decision to adopt a modernised electronic passport document comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the contract that was awarded to Belgian company, Semlex. Pristine Consulting, a Gambia-based firm which was initially awarded the contract, continue to claim their rights. Pristing issued the first phase of biometric ID cards before falling apart with the former Jammeh regime.
The president’s spokesperson said both companies will be working together to provide Gambians with biometric passport.
She added: “People are adopting biometric technology for other forms of identification. The issuance of passports will be decentralised within the country. For diaspora Gambians, they’ve been considered in the process.”
Mrs Sissoho disclosed there are areas that have been selected to allow Gambians abroad to get access to the biometric passport: Washington DC (US); Angola (Africa); Rome (Italy) for undocumented Gambians; Stockholm (Scandinavia); Madrid and Barcelona (Spain).
Meanwhile, concerns are rising about the cost of the travel document as many Gambians are with the view that 3,000 Dalasis is too expensive.
Undocumented Gambians in Scandanavia to be served in Stockholm!!! How could an undocumented individual in Finland or Denmark, for example, get to Stockholm? You need to rethink this strategy. How about UK? Where do we get served? London, Birmingham, Glasgow or Cardiff?
Good initiative though and I hope it goes well.
You are right Bax , they should be prepared well ahead and allocate distribution centers across especially where vast majority gambian live,
Another one? If there are already biometric passports anyway we will see how a bad business going on
Also Italy being the only in central europe is inadequate. Appealing to the Government in this era of technological developments to try and enhance communication for people of the diaspora and those back home. For example there is a radio programm in senegal were people can call directly from europe and the Americas to express their views on many issues affecting them,….the mismanagment of their resources sent or financed from abroad development issiues etc…
Some company shareholders will be laughing all the way to the bank. The coalition do give the impression that they are happy to adopt most of the APRC policies and with it all of there mistakes..
This is a transitional transition to the same transitional starting place.
Transition my ass.
What happens to all illegal economic migrants presently residing in the UK. Many using false ID’s and passports. ? Do they get the bio in there own name or the false one ? It used to be the case that the old passport could have the photo changed. The Bio makes this impossible.