Dear Editor,
It was with some trepidation that I approached the Passport Office in Georgetown to apply for the new machine-readable passport as my handwritten one had expired. I say trepidation because I had previously read letters from readers who had groaned and complained about everything at that office, from the time-wasting, the long lines, the seating arrangements, the attitude of staff and physical conditions, among others, and I was wondering how I would be able to cope as I arrived there at 6.30 am on Wednesday morning.
The first thing that struck me as I approached the office was that there was no line outside. I was about to turn back, thinking I was at the wrong place, or that maybe it was the day off for the officers, when I noticed one at the door and decided to enquire within. And lo and behold! Would you believe that I was the 36th new applicant there and I was out of there with my transaction completed at 8.15 am?
I must ‘big up’ the staff for their display of competency, efficiency and courtesy. Officers were pleasant, firmly gentle and gently firm; there was comfortable and ample seating, competent officers to deal with the transactions at every stage, and a smooth flow of operations. And it was not until I was out of the building that I realized that the ‘gaff‘ I was getting from the so courteous and pleasant interviewer was a thorough and revealing interrogation.
Hats off to them and may the grumpy old men who love to gripe and moan read this and weep. Keep up the good work Passport Office people.
Yours faithfully,
Gregory Holder
