RESIDENTS of Region 10, Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice, will, within the next month, be able to renew their passports without having to travel to Georgetown.This announcement was made on Friday by Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix during a ‘Meet the Public Day’ initiative held at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. The Minister said the Department of Citizenship has been working over the past few months to decentralize the receipt of passport applications and the delivery of passports within the 10 administrative regions.

When implemented, Linden will become the third town to have the service available. Residents of East Berbice and the Essequibo Coast are already beneficiaries of this service.

Minister Felix explained that first-time applicants would have to travel to Georgetown to complete the process, but those applying for the renewal of their passports would be able to access the service in Linden.

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) building located in Mackenzie has been identified as the location at which this service would be provided. Immigration officers will visit the location twice weekly and receive applications for renewal from residents. The applications will be processed in Georgetown, and the residents will receive their renewed passports upon the officers’ return to the location during the following week.

“This is for two purposes: we realise the need to bring Government services in the region, and we need to reduce the unnecessary crowds that we have at the passport office at Georgetown,” Minister Felix said.

Assistant National Director, Community Development Councils, Sandra Adams, who was responsible for coordinating the setup of the service, stated that it is a very important move that will alleviate the hassle of having to go to Georgetown for many residents.

“There are a lot of seniors in Linden who cannot make it to Georgetown, and I have received a lot of complaints recently that by time they get to Georgetown the numbers are finished and they have to return without getting their passport. So we are happy for this service to begin,” she said.