'Electronic’ passports introduced

Namibia has ceased the issuing of machine-readable passports and begun issuing biometric or electronic passports. Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration official Nehemia Nghishekwa said the passports are highly secure travel documents with a chip that enhances security. ‘The drive is to maintain the integrity of the Namibian travel document and to render it difficult to forge,’ he said. The Namibian reports that he said the move was in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, which urges all UN member states to implement the electronic passports. The new passports cost $13 to order.