MONTROVIA – Former Liberian ambassador Jeremiah Surunte of Canada, Canada and Mexico praised President Joseph Boachey's government for his decision to reside in Liberian passport services.
By Selma Lomax (Email protection)
Ambassador Surunte, from Bonn County, welcomed the recent launch of the local passport application centre in Gubaunga and Zwedl, Grande County, Bonn County. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to ease the burden on citizens who had to travel to Monrovia previously to apply or renew their passport.
“Politics aside, I am impressed by the decentralization process of the government's National Passport Application Centre, which prevents people from traveling to Monrovia just to obtain their passport,” Slante said in a statement.
The former envoy praised the Boaches administration and Foreign Minister Sarah Bethorrow Nyanti for prioritizing access and efficiency. He explained that the move is consistent with years of efforts to bring services closer to citizens, particularly in rural areas.
During his tenure as Liberian ambassador in Washington, D.C., Sulunteh said he launched important decentralisation projects, including the establishment of an Honorary Consulate in Minnesota and the promotion of a double citizenship campaign that was later passed to the law. He said current passport decentralization efforts represent a continuation of that vision.
“This is a proud moment for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an important advancement in its decentralization journey,” Surunte said. “Making them available to the people they live in is essential to national development.”
He further encouraged Liberians to make the most of the newly established centre, highlighting the potential benefits for businessmen, students and frequent travelers. Sulunteh added that decentralization can reduce the time, cost and logistical challenges associated with the acquisition of travel documents, while also increasing economic activity and regional mobility.
“We are optimistic that these centres will be functional and effective,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a new passport centre at a ceremony at Gbarnga on July 21st. Vice Minister Cllr. Deweh Gray said the project is part of the Boakai administration's commitment to providing equitable services across the country.
Minister Gray said decentralising passport services is expected to increase productivity for residents in Remote County and facilitate long-standing burdens. The ministry said more centres are being planned over the coming months as part of a wider nationwide expansion.
