Caption: FRCA CEO Jitoko Tikolevu. File Photo.
THE Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority has installed new passport scanners at the Nadi International Airport today, which would assist in the faster processing and clearance of passengers.
Chief Executive, Mr Jitoko Tikolevu said customs officers can now process or check passengers’ passport details within ten (10) seconds.
“This will also assist us in improving our clearance of passengers arriving in bigger planes. We can now process and clear about 450 passengers within half an hour, which used to take us an hour,” Mr Tikolevu said.
The authority used passport readers in the past’ in which the process took at least a minute per passenger.
Nadi International Airport will be installed with 22 scanners while the remaining 13 will be distributed across other ports of entries.
Nausori Airport will have four scanners while three will be at the Suva Port. Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka will receive two scanners each.
“This investment from the Authority is to ease the work burden on our primary line officers as well as ensure accuracy of data entry and the faster clearance of passengers.
“This will help us with the detection of fake passports, something that cannot be detected with the naked eye,” Mr Tikolevu said.
‘And more importantly, we are serving our customers better at the port of entry, which is vital for our tourism industry.’
“In essence, we are strengthening the security at our borders,” he added.
PRESS RELEASE