… land identified for construction of permanent office – Minister
By Utamu Belle
Persons wishing to access passport renewal services in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) can now do so without the hassle of having to travel to the capital city, Georgetown; as the passport office in Linden officially opened its doors to serve the community on Tuesday.
Present to witness the opening was Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson, who declared that the move is only the beginning of a number of services that will be decentralised to the community.
A security guard stands at the entrance at the new passport office in Linden
While those seeking to acquire a passport for the first time will still have to do so at the main office in Georgetown, Patterson explained that services, such as renewals, as well as lost and damaged passports, can be accessed through the newly opened office at Linden, with the minimum of three waiting days. The Minister explained further that the people of Linden have welcomed the initiative.
Plans are already in the pipeline for the construction of a building which will house a permanent passport office in Linden. “What we’re doing now, he’s (Minister Winston Felix) asked us to identify land so that they can actually build the building to offer full fledged services. The land was already identified… but this is going to really give the people of Linden a boost, in Region 10, where they don’t have to spend money to travel to Georgetown to get a passport, with the exception of the first time applicants…” she said.
Regional Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, also hailed the move as a much welcomed and needed one, noting that it eliminates the burden of having to travel long distances, noting that other avenues which will bring relief to the people, are presently being explored.
The passport office is located on the bottom flat of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) office situated at Mackenzie, Linden. Immigration staff was present at the office on Tuesday to officially commence duties of providing the necessary services to the community.
