The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE IMMIGRATION department will be fully automated by July, according to its director Clarence Russell.

Mr Russell revealed training had already commenced for the new system with assistance from CBN, the Canadian Bank Note Company, which facilitated the automation of the Passport Office.

He noted the department planned to hold a press conference on its reformation initiatives in due course.

“By July of 2018 we intend to go totally automated,” he told the media at a press conference to announce a trial period testing body cams for officers.

Mr Russell continued: “CBN, Canadian Bank Notes, the same people that make money, the same persons very instrumental in totally automating the passport office where I came from are already on board.

“In fact training is going on as we speak. We are being proactive and doing our endeavour best to take this nation as we did with passport office and other areas to the next level.”

He continued: “We don’t want to be regarded as we are by some as second and third world in the area of technology when we have Bahamian companies and brilliant officers and brilliant leaders in this nation who are prepared to take us to the next level.

“If you listened to the honourable minister [Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette] at Cabinet, he has indicated very clearly that the Immigration services are going to get practically whatever is necessary within reason to do our job.

“So I am satisfied as the leader that everything that needs to be done will be done within reason to put us on the cutting edge of technology. This is a clear indication that we’re serious.”

The high volume of permit applications was described as the greatest challenge faced by officials.

In August last year, Mr Symonette explained the inundated system is further exacerbated by outdated manual processing and limited physical capacity at the aging, rented complex on Hawkins Hill.