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Emergency Declaration for FSM passports

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): March 10, 2010 - The FSM Immigration Office has requested that President Mori sign an Emergency Declaration for the procurement of new FSM blank passports. This is in response to a shortage of blank passports on hand with the FSM Immigration Office. Without a new supply of passports the Immigration Office will no longer be able to issue new passports to FSM citizens, thereby jeopardizing travel of FSM citizens outside of the FSM.

In the last session of Congress, $250,000 was appropriated for the purchase of new passports, so the money is available for their purchase, but based on Section 403 of Title 55 of the FSM Code, there is a requirement for competitive bidding for contracts regarding the purchase of personal property involving $50,000 or more that will cause a delay in the purchase of the passports. The signing of the Emergency Declaration effectively waives the bidding requirements for the convenience of the government so that it can secure a supplier immediately for the issuance of new blank passports.

Vice President Alik signed the Emergency Declaration for President Mori on March 4, 2010, to allow the Immigration Office to secure a supplier of passports and purchase them so that the FSM Government can continue to deliver this service to the people of the FSM.