Knowledgeable three sources told Republica on condition of anonymity that the printing of 400,000 MRPs to be supplied in the first lot has already been completed but the dispatch of passport consignments, as of Tuesday, are yet to start in France.[break]
Air shipments from France arrive in Nepal in three working days under normal conditions, according to information communicated by Oberthur to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). For this, French security printer has to start sending the passport consignments latest by Wednesday.
As per the agreement reached with the ministry on August 30, Oberthur Technologies has to deliver the first lot of MRPs within 70 days of signing of the deal, which falls on coming Saturday. And, the printer is also required to bring passports from France via air.
In the first instance, sources said, the security printer has faced difficulties in transporting the passports to a nearest airport due to ongoing strikes, which began last week after the retirement age was increased to 60 from 62. The strikes have also caused shortage of fuel, affecting transportation in France.
Second, the extra and tight security measures adopted to screen international cargos passing via Gulf countries after explosives were uncovered in air cargos last Friday in the UK and Dubai is likely to affect the Oberthur´s plan to deliver the passports on time.
"Cargos coming from the Gulf countries will take longer time for screening purposes following the cargo bomb incidents in the UK and Dubai," said one of the sources seeking anonymity.
Lastly, the eruption of volcano in Mount Merapi of Indonesia has affected air traffic in that region, said the sources. New York Times reported on Tuesday that there is possibility of eruption of more volcanoes in Indonesia.
The French company is also troubled by the fact that all the international flights coming to Kathmandu from abroad these days are packed with tourists.
"There is little space for passport cargo in the flights coming to Nepal," the source said.
The French firm had bagged the multi-million dollar MRP project in August after overcoming one after another hurdles since the tender was called in May.
As per the deal with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French printer will supply minimum 3.4 million MRPs to maximum 4.6 million passports in the next five years at a cost of US$ 3.59 per booklet.
kiran@myrepublica.com
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