I visited the Passport Office in Georgetown last week. I arrived there at approximately 07:05 hrs after travelling from Region Number 6.
First I must compliment the Chief Immigration Officer for the building of a shed to accommodate persons applying

for  passports. Previously, persons had to wait in the rain and sun for hours before they could enter the building.
While I commend them for this gesture I am disappointed and frustrated at the length of time it took for me to get through.
I was in that shed for exactly five hours before I entered the building. Imagine if that shed was not there I would have been standing in the scorching sun for five hours. After I got into the building it was another three hours before my turn came.
Do you think it is fair to spend eight hours to obtain a passport? I had other things to do that day but could not do so. Myself, and others just sat there while persons kept going to the officers and getting through.
I think if everyone wait their turn this would not happen. I am not against them helping the elderly, pregnant mothers and small children, but persons just know someone there and go and get through. When I look at the procedure it does not take long for a person to be processed so you can imagine how many persons are getting priority treatment.
The other problem is the toilet facilities. Persons were told that the toilet would not be opened until 8 o’clock. Can you imagine travelling from home so early in the morning, getting there only to be told you cannot use the toilet until 8 o’clock?
I would like the Chief Immigration Officer to look into this matter urgently. Persons who have to leave their homes from four and five o’clock in the mornings to travel to Georgetown are frustrated with this system.