THE EDITOR, Sir:
I TAKE issue with the length of time it takes to renew one's passport.
I went to renew my passport on May 18, and it took me five hours to complete the process. I was told to collect the new passport on May 28 but I did not go until June 18, one month later. After waiting three hours, when I got to the teller and presented my receipt I was told that the passport was not ready and was directed to the customer service area. I was told by the immigration officer that the picture had a glare on the right side so they were unable to process the passport.
We are required to provide telephone numbers for both home and work on the application forms, but despite having access to this information (which is contained on the application form,) no-one saw it fit to call and inform me of the problem.
I got new pictures and presented them to the officer who told me to return for the passport on Monday, June 28. On my way to work I stopped at the passport office at 6:40 but was told by the security guard that customer parking would not be available on the compound until 10:00 am. I had to go next door and pay $100 to park to get a number to wait in line until that section opens at 9:00 a.m.
The renewal sections actually opens at 7:30 a.m. and yet parking which is limited is not available until 10:00 am.
The Government needs to realise that people who are employed do not have time to waste so they need to find a way to make it easier for people to renew their passports and the parking problem needs to be addressed. For far too long the public has had to put up with the lack of customer service in government departments.
I am, etc.,
J. MAILLARD
159A Orange Street
Kingston
