By NIDRA KEWERE MAPI
THE Department of Personnel Management has approved the establishment of a new office under the Department of Foreign Affairs – two years after the National Executive Council issued the directive.
The new PNG Office of Immigration Services will have 72 staff compared to the present 19 and would start recruiting soon.
Foreign Affairs and Immigration Department Secretary Gabriel Pepson said they would use the resources available at present to set up the new office as well as seek more funding from the Government.
“Job descriptions have already been advertised in the newspapers,” he said.
Mr Pepson said they had been aware of the serious capacity problem and that it needed to be addressed quickly.
“We are doing everything we can at the moment with the limited resources we have. It’s very unfortunate that the service is like this at the moment but I am expecting things to get better soon.”
Apart from allegations of corruption, many people have complained about the slow and inefficient immigration services.
People applying for passports, visas and renewals often have to make several trips to the department.
Sometimes they have to wait for months before their documents are ready for pick-up.
Frustrated travellers say that because of the constant delays and slack service, their travel plans are disrupted.
Some have also had to pay penalties to the airlines.
“It is really frustrating when you are told to come back day after day to check on your passport or visa because you stand in a very long line and when you get there, it’s not ready. It’s causing a lot of inconvenience,” a frustrated traveller told The National.
Several business houses have also complained that their application for work permits and visa can take up to six months.