By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune NEws Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE temporary misplacement of 19 passports at the Passport Office has sparked a police investigation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
Before the ministry’s statement was released, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis questioned whether something untoward happened.
“I’m very concerned that passports within the Passport Office were missing last week,” Dr Minnis told The Tribune. “What is the government doing to protect the national treasure? Will we have similar problems and accusations to what happened in immigration?”
The ministry’s statement said the misplacement of 19 passports was “treated with the gravity it deserves, given the importance and sensitivity of these documents”.
The ministry said the passports were never removed from the building.
“In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, we have involved law enforcement,” the ministry said. “The incident is under an active police investigation. We are cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure a comprehensive investigation is done.”
“Our duty is to protect the integrity and security of passports is paramount. We are continuously striving to maintain and enhance the trust our citizens place in us. We want to reassure the public that we have stringent security measures in place, which are currently under review to enhance our security protocols further.”
Comments
ExposedU2C 1 year, 4 months ago
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TalRussell 1 year, 4 months ago
Comrades, let's not beat around the bushes here.--- It's only after being turfed out of office --- Has the RedMovement's ---'Quasi leadership' --- Taken to raising fears over immigration matters.---- The popoulaces' may conclude. --- 'Tis behind, why are they still at a loss with Minnis and Pintard.
trueBahamian 1 year, 4 months ago
The passports are missing but the statement says they didn't leave the office. How are they missing but they know they are still.there? Someone needs to.ask that. Surely if they can't be found, you can not say they haven't left the premises.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 4 months ago
Well if they was in somebody bag or in a waterproof plastic bag in the toilet (sorry, I like detective series) they wouldnt have left the building. I note they didnt say, "we found them exactly where we expected to" ROTFL
Sickened 1 year, 4 months ago
Hey Birdie, this is a non-issue. The fact that passports go missing is not as important as the idea that this probably also happened while the FNM was in power. So if it has happened before under a different administration then there is nothing to be concerned about.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 4 months ago
Where the Oban file? That was in his office.
Meanwhile the US say they're putting extra scrutiny on Hungary because they can't trust their passport process
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