WAITED eight hours for processing of passport application written by a concerned citizen published in the Guyana Chronicle dated Wednesday September 12-2012.

The letter writer wrote: “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.”
I could empathise with what this citizen had to say and it’s a known fact of life in Guyana long before the PPP came to power to which this trend continues to this day.
My nephew had gone through this agony in obtaining his passport too.People with inside connections and those who pay a fat sum get priority treatment over all others.
In the case of my nephew, he waited in line for many hours only to be told when he got up there that he was in the wrong line. My nephew went to the other line and joined it at the back.
He waited yet again for many hours until he got up to the desk, he was told the lady that told him he was in the wrong line will take care of him.
He then went back to the other line and more hours passed before getting up to the desk and he was told by the lady “sorry it was my mistake.”
This is the kind of discrimination that goes on not only at the passport office but at the airport too.
On September 7,2012 on my way out of Guyana I was witness to total discrimination against some passengers of a particular ethnicity.
Passengers of another ethnicity were being called to check in even though others were in line long before.
The girl who worked that morning was calling passengers of a particular ethnicity ahead of others to check in their luggage.
Then a lady with an airport badge came and was taking some passengers’ travel documents from the side of the line so they can be checked in before all others.
I then saw someone who did not join the line but handed the lady with the airport badge something. She then took the travel documents up to the check out girl. I am sure it was money passed to get priority boarding.
I wanted to air my voice at what was going on even though I was checked in already but a couple of passengers told me not to say anything in fear they might get the merry go round and might even be taken off their flight.
I also noticed another change this time around at our airport and that is, passengers are allowed to leave and go out and spend time with their loved ones after checking in.
Only last year people who are working the entry gate were taking bribes if passengers wanted to go out after checking in their baggage.
I was told that I cannot leave once my luggage was checked in. I asked if that was a law or policy and was told that is the airport law, but if you take care of me you might be able to go out and come in back.
I told the security gate lady if you really want me to take care of you I will, but you won’t have a job at this airport.
She asked “who are you.” I said I am walking out of here. You try and stop me from doing so then you will know exactly who am I.
Another security officer there standing with her said “he must be connected to someone in government let him go”
I said I did not know any politician and wasn’t not connected to any and walked out.
What I was willing to do was grab my camera and record them asking me for a bribe and taking a photo without their knowing.
And I intend on doing so anytime I am in Guyana and being asked to pay a bribe for something I am entitled to.
Hassle me harass me all they want but I will make sure they are not in a position to shake down others.