Maldives government commits to nationwide passport services across atolls
Efforts are underway to extend passport services to all atolls across the Maldives, as announced by the government during a joint press conference held by Maldives Immigration and the Ministry of City, Local Government, and Public Works.
Ministry of City, Local Government, and Public Works, Minister Adam Shareef emphasized the significance of providing access to essential services in the islands, given that a significant portion of the population resides there.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at facilitating passport applications for island residents.
Immigration Controller, Mohamad Shamaan, revealed that passport issuance currently takes place in cities.
Administrative preparations are underway to ensure passport services are accessible in all atolls, including staffing and infrastructure arrangements coordinated with local councils.
The overarching goal is to ensure government services are readily available in islands and atolls, alleviating the burden on the public, according to Shamaan.
The government aims to prioritize islands that have expressed an initial interest in the service rollout, ensuring equitable access for all residents.
Deputy Minister Ahmed Ali also highlighted plans to extend ID card services to all atolls, aligning with the government's broader efforts to enhance accessibility and efficiency in public service delivery.