-as it makes history
ASHER MOYO
CHIPINGE-Chipinge E-passport office will tomorrow (Friday) conduct trial run for the public in preparation for full operations expected soon.
This was confirmed by Chipinge administrative officer, Tedious Beto to The Midweek Watch and said they will issue out 25 E-passports during the equipment test run.
“Works are progressing well at our passport office. Tomorrow (Friday), there is going to be a pre-test for about 25 people. Members of the public who are willing are to bring a total of US $120, long birth certificate and a National Identity Card.
“The E-Passport will be produced in the next seven working days. After the pre-trial we will wait for further communication from our superiors. We do not have an official date yet when the offices will be officially opened,” said Beto.
The E-Passport offices were renovated and are situated at the Chipinge District Government Complex
The move to have passport offices in Chipinge is part of the Government’s efforts to decentralize the issuance of electronic passports to all provinces. The renovations for the E-passport offices commenced in July and the offices are situated at the Government complex. Other services like the issuing of birth certificates and National Identity cards will continue as usual.
Chipinge District will become the first one in Manicaland to issue the critical travelling document.
Mutare passport offices were temporarily closed and people from Manicaland were traveling to Marondera and Harare to acquire passports.
Chipinge District Development Coordinator William Mashava welcomed the development and said it will promote local industry.
“It was the whole Province gathering in Mutare for passports. It was not easy to save the whole Province forcing people to spend two or three days in queues.
“Some would return home empty handed because of long and unbearable queues .Now that the offices are in Chipinge it will cut all those costs for our district. This will also promote the local industry because when people come for the passports, our shops will benefit from that. This will be a provincial passport office since Mutare is temporarily closed. The whole province will be coming to Chipinge. Local business will benefit especially those in hospitality business. Chipinge has been put on a better level. We are happy as a district,” said Mashava.
