Delay in shipment of materials causes lengthy wait for new passports

The Central Immigration and Passport Office on Thursday informed that its operations have been affected by a delay in the shipment of materials used to print passports.
A statement from the Guyana Police Force has informed that the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent world events have caused the disruption of countless supply chains, and the Central Immigration and Passport Office has been affected by this disruption in the supply chain of materials. Guyanese have nevertheless been informed that this delay would be resolved in the coming weeks.
“The delayed shipment is expected here in late August, after which normalcy will prevail. While the delay is inevitable, the Central Immigration and Passport Office remains unwavering in its commitment to work assiduously to ensure that things are back to normal in the shortest possible time,” the statement has relayed.
Additionally, the public is being informed that the Passport Office “continues to provide passport and other immigration document services; however, it is attempting to do so within the normal time frame of five working days”.
Presently, there are passport offices at Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and at New Amsterdam in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Lethem, Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Bartica and Mahdia have been the latest regional passport offices announced by Government in a bid to decentralise these services.
Last year there was a surge in persons visiting the Central Office for passport services, where over 200 persons were being attended to daily. During that period, hundreds of persons were seen queuing outside the facility. (G12)