Fiji’s Immigration Department is seeking legal opinion on whether Oberthur Technologies had breached the contract undertaken with the Fijian government to supply Fiji passports.

Immigration Director Nemani Vuniwaqa, in responding to the rising concerns by applicants on the delay of the passport processing, has clarified that the company has failed to supply the books on time.

Vuniwaqa says they have consulted the Solicitor General’s Office and are now awaiting a legal opinion if there was a breach in contract as the company has not supplied the books on the promised date.

Vuniwaqa says the delay is “unacceptable and unreasonable” considering that the contract between the two parties indicated a time frame of delivery.

Oberthur Technologies, which was given the contract to print passport books, has refused to issue a public statement explaining the delay and have instead written a letter to the Department.