Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
MAJOR CHANGES are to be implemented within the next two months at the Immigration, Citizen and Passport Services of the Ministry of National Security, in an effort to upgrade it to an executive agency.
According to Neville Graham, director of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of National Security, consultations are currently under way with the Ministry of Finance and Planning and other relevant agencies regarding implementation of the changes.
"We are still in discussion with the other agencies," Mr. Graham told The Gleaner Tuesday.
Speaking in the presence of the director of Immigration, Leighton Wilson, Graham stressed that the time limit for the changes will depend on the discussion between the agencies. He further described the changes to come as part of the overall modernisation programme of the ministry.
When the changes are in effect, the department will begin administering charges for a number of services that it currently provides without a fee.
FEE INCREASES
A visitor who wishes to extend his stay while on holiday in the island will, for example, be required to pay a fee. A person applying for Jamaican citizenship will also be required to pay a fee.
The $2,000 visa fee currently being charged by the department, for nationalities requiring a visa to travel to Jamaica, will also be increased.
"There are some fees that are scheduled to increase effective May 1, but the cost of a Jamaican passport will not be increased," Mr. Graham said.
The Gleaner understands that employees at the passport office have already been advised of the changes to come and have been told that they might be asked to resign and re-apply.
According to Mr. Graham, the changes are expected to bring about a high level of performance, greater efficiency and more customer focus while at the same time keep an eye on national security.
Reports are that the changes are expected to be implemented before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup which begins in March 2007.
