Biometric Passport Production: Pre-innovation passport applicants left in the dark

With the innovation of the passport production system in Cameroon to a fully digital and seemingly effective one, Cameroonians who had applied for passports before the innovation have been completely blacked out by the new system.

As the Government has contented to showing to the rest of the world its new Biometric Passport system, thousands of Cameroonians who had spent money on producing their passports have now been given the full impression of having wasted their money for the old passport.

“Ever since the old system was changed, no one has told us what has become of the old passport which we had applied for,” complains an applicant.

“Even before the system was changed, each time we go there, we are told that the material is finished and hence our passports cannot be printed,” adds the applicant.

“Now they tell us that the printing is now handled by a new company, meanwhile the government has not said anything on whether our monies should be refunded or not. It’s like we have been forgotten. I really hope this can be addressed,” he ended.

With the changes in the passport production system welcomed by multitudes given its promised efficiency albeit exorbitant cost, many Cameroonians have yet to adapt to the new system.

The flaws in the system have been more damaging than expected, with cybercriminals being able to intercept many transactions by creating fake lookalike sites, through which hundreds of Cameroonians have lost their money.

The 48 hours production duration time has equally not been the reality, with many applicants having to wait for several weeks after application.

Cameroonians however remain hopeful that the system can be fixed and the production becomes more efficient and cost-effective.