Reply: I am informed by the Officer-in-Charge of the Passport and Immigration Office that long queues at immigration counters at SSRIA are normally caused by the following main factors –

134 i) during peak times, there are simultaneous landing of several wide-body aircrafts at the SSR International Airport within a timeframe of 20-minutes, thereby putting significant pressure on immigration processing; ii) the efficient processing of large volumes of passengers has been slowed down due to the aging server of the PIO, and iii) shortage of staff leading to fewer immigration counters being operational. I am further informed that several remedial measures have been put in place to ensure fast processing at immigration counters both during arrival and departure, namely – i) Police Officers from the Head Office have been deployed to serve at the Airport; ii) additional Police Officers from the Head Office are assigned to the Airport during peak periods, and iii) 22 Retired Police Officers have been employed on a contract basis to assist at the Head Office and arrangements are being made to recruit additional Retired Police Officers. During my previous mandates, I arranged for putting in place a system which ensured a smooth flow of passengers both on departure and arrival. Whenever any problem arose, remedial action was taken promptly. I am informed that necessary actions have been taken by the Passport and Immigration Office to have additional staff with a view to implementing a three-shift system at the Airport shortly. I am further informed that the Passport and Immigration Office is working on a new border control management system with the possibility of integrating e-gates so as to improve service delivery as well as to enhance the overall passenger experience. The whole issue is being looked into in a holistic manner with relevant stakeholders. CABINET DECISION 25 OCT. 2024 – ALLEGED MISUSE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE – COMMISSION OF INQUIRY