President John Magufuli appends his signature during the process of being issued with a new passport at Immigration Department headquarters in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. Looking on is Zanzibar President Ali Mohammed Shein. PHOTO | STATE HOUSE
What you need to know:
Dr Magufuli said in his speech at Immigration Department headquarters in Dar es Salaam that the new passport would, among other things, guarantee the international community’s confidence in Tanzanians travelling around the world.
Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli on Wednesday officially commissioned Tanzania’s new high-tech electronic passport that has several advantages over the documents it replaces.
Dr Magufuli said in his speech at Immigration Department headquarters in Dar es Salaam that the new passport would, among other things, guarantee the international community’s confidence in Tanzanians travelling around the world.
The new passport will have biometric particulars of the bearer, making it virtually impossible to forge or duplicate. This, according to Dr Magufuli, would enhance national security and make revenue collection easier.
The e-passport is also expected to save a considerable amount of time for both the bearer and Immigration Department since everything will be handled electronically within a short time.
People who lose their passports will retain copies that will be available online through a mobile application.
President Magufuli said the e-passport would be issued through a new $57.82 million (Sh127.2 billion) system.
“The system will also enable foreign nationals who wish to visit Tanzania to fill in their visa applications forms online wherever they are,” he said.
The project was implemented in collaboration with the government of Ireland, while the service provider is the American firm HID Company.
Following the launch of the new passports, the ones currently in use will be phased out by January 2020.
The new passport’s advanced pictography, biometrics and security printing features will ensure holders’ privacy and effective data storage and management.
However, these high-tech features will come at a cost. In contrast to the current passport for which applicants pay Sh50,000, the new document will cost Sh150,000. This is said to be still much lower than what people in other countries pay for similarly technologically advanced travel documents.
The new passport, like the current one, will be valid for ten years.
President Magufuli warned what he said were crooked elements within the Immigration Department.
“There have been dirty games played by some dishonest immigration officers, who were issuing passports and residence permits to undeserving individuals. This was unacceptable as it was putting the country’s security at risk.”
Dr Magufuli said the days when people used to cut corners to get passports were gone.
The Head of State added that the Immigration Department was on the right path, but challenged the agency to tighten controls meant to keep out illegal immigrants.
He warned that stern measures would be taken against regional immigration officers if any illegal immigrants passed through their areas of jurisdiction undetected.
Earlier, the Immigration Commissioner General, Dr Anna Makakala, said the newly launched passport was more durable than the current document and also contained more pages. Those wishing to apply for the new passport must have the national identity card, she added.
The setting up of the e-passport system will be implemented in four phases. The first phase began last September and ended last month.
Other phases will entail the setting up of an e-visa system at all immigration offices across the country, establishing of e-border management and improvement of electronic systems at Tanzanian embassies and districts with high levels of immigration activities.
Speaking at the event, Home Affairs minister Mwigulu Nchemba said his ministry was determined to improve Immigration Department services since the agency had a crucial role to play in ensuring the country’s security.
President Magufuli and his wife Janet were among those issued with the new passport during the function. Others included Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar President Ali Mohammed Shein, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Retired Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume.
