Guyana says goodbye to Camp Street passport queues

Dear Editor,
Standing in line for hours before sunrise has long been a rite of passage for Guyanese citizens seeking to obtain their passport. Families would wake up in the early hours of the morning, coming from all over the country to queue up along Camp Street outside of the Central Immigration and Passport Office. This week, the Guyanese Government announced that in a move to streamline its services, all passport applicants will be required to fill out applications online. The Guyanese Government is taking a page out of its own history books by saying goodbye to paper applications and, in turn, long queues of Guyanese citizens.
Reducing paperwork at Government agencies has been a common complaint among many Guyanese citizens for years. Not only does it put unnecessary demand on the state to process paperwork, but it also forces citizens to spend entire days travelling to and from the capital in order to submit documents. Now, with the new online portal, Guyanese citizens living anywhere from Region One to Region 10 will be able to begin the process of obtaining state documents without leaving their homes.
Guyana is at an inflection point in its history. With a once-in-a-lifetime oil boom surging through the economy, Guyanese citizens have come to expect greater and more efficient service from the state. While physical infrastructure continues to be important, efficient digital infrastructure is the backbone of any growing economy. Hours spent waiting in line take away from Guyanese citizens’ ability to be productive, and streamlining this process allows the state to better keep up with a growing economy.
Online applications not only reduce the hassle factor of Guyanese bureaucracy; they also help to limit corruption and human error. Names misspelt, incorrect personal information and unnecessarily prolonged processing times are just some of the problems associated with Government paperwork. By requiring applicants to apply online, information is double-checked by machine before it ever reaches an immigration officer. Additionally, an online process allows for a paper trail that follows an application from start to finish. This paper trail will limit unofficial officers from speeding up the application process for a price.
However, it is important to note that while the online system seems like a no-brainer, there are some logistical issues that must be considered. Internet connectivity in hinterland regions of the country is not as strong as it is in urbanised areas like Georgetown, Berbice, or Linden. As such, it will be necessary for the state to provide adequate access to online portals for those who may live far away from the nearest city. Another population that may be affected by the transition to online platforms is senior citizens. Moving forward, the Guyanese Government must ensure that seniors, those who live far from city centres, and those who cannot navigate the new system easily have access to Government officials who can assist them with the application process.
By doing away with the Camp Street queue, the Guyanese state is taking a step in the right direction. Long queues to access state documents are a relic of less advanced countries, and Guyana is looking to join the ranks of more forward-thinking nations by allowing citizens to begin their application process from the comfort of their own homes. Only time will tell how this system will work, but if it’s done correctly, Guyanese citizens are in for a welcome change.
Kind regards,
Philip Inshanally