No funds available to furnish new Linden passport office

5 months after completion

Almost five months after being constructed, the new passport office at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is yet to open its doors to members of the public. Members of the community have voiced some concerns, as they anxiously await the commissioning of the office in an effort to utilise the services. Guyana Times understands that the completed building has already been handed over to the Regional authority following completion. However, it is still to be furnished. In an invited comment on Monday, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he is aware that estimated funds for the furnishing of the office has been

included in the 2019 budget.
Although completed, the office is said to be awaiting the funds for the required equipment and furniture. According to Morian, when the spending budget is released, this process will be facilitated. The construction of the office commenced in January and saw the erection of the building which measures approximately 2000 square feet. The works were executed by R. Bassoon and Sons Contracting Company, to the tune of $30,604,472 According to a worker on the ground, a new guard hut is also expected to be erected inside the compound. With the new development, residents of Linden and other parts of Region 10 are expected to enjoy the comfort of having a passport office which will cater for new applications within the community, thus easing the burden of having to travel to Georgetown to access the service. Last December, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, travelled to the community for a sod-turning exercise at the site for the construction of the new office, situated in the vicinity of the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) building at Retrieve, MacKenzie. While Linden has been benefitting from passport renewal services conducted out of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) building at MacKenzie since August 2016, this will be the first time the community will house such a building to cater for new applicants. Applicants who apply at the Georgetown office also benefit from uplifting same at this office. However, this move will see new applicants now having access to the service within the community.
The office is expected to process other documents such as birth and death certificates.