OSHAKATI – The Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, says home affairs now offers better and improved services.
When opening a new and modern home affairs building in Oshana Region last Friday the minister said a number of services, including acquiring birth certificates, identity documents as well as passports have now been made easier and faster.
“I am proud to inform you that currently it only takes three to four days to receive a passport and nine days to get an identity card. If you want to make sure if the passport or an identity card you have applied for is ready, before you go to one of our offices, you can now send an inquiry by SMS. An SMS will within seconds inform you if the passport or ID is ready for collection,” said Iivula-Ithana.
During the event, the minister also launched a new electronic printed birth certificate, which according to her will be gradually rolled out as part of the new Home Affairs Turnaround Strategy’s Front Office Rollout Initiative.
Due to limited capacity the new birth certificates will only be issued to newly born babies, according to Iivula-Ithana.
The newly inaugurated Oshana offices are one of three major projects undertaken by the home affairs ministry during the current financial year.
The others are the construction of the ministry’s offices in Karas Region and at Kasamane border post in Omusati Region.
All projects will cost government N$96.1 million.
The modern building in Oshakati was completed within a record time of 15 months.
Ben Kuutumbeni Kathindi of Kathindi Architecture, who was the principal agent of the project, applauded the Ministry of Home Affairs for availing opportunities to his company.
According to Kathindi, the building was made with locally made materials including clay bricks.
He said the building is of the highest standard and will be able to withstand different weather conditions.
“Even after I die, 50 to 100 years from now this building will still be standing,” said Kathindi.
Home Affairs and Immigration Permanent Secretary Patrick Nandago said 325 people including 13 children of the liberation struggle were recruited to work on the project.
By Helvy Shaanika