The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell says authorisation has been obtained for staff at the Passport Office to work overtime to deal with the backlog and the anticipated demand for passports ahead of the public holiday in August.

According to Mr Mitchell, overtime hours were initiated two days ago and there are plans to bring in additional manpower to assist the staff.

While in Grand Bahama on Friday, the minister held a press conference at the BIS Office to clarify a number of things concerning the delivery of passports.

He stressed that the Passport Office is trying to do the best it can to deal with the situation concerning the backlog. In Grand Bahama, there are some 1,500 passports still outstanding.

“There is a problem with the backlog in Nassau and Grand Bahama,” Mr Mitchell said, “and we got permission from Ministry of Finance to work overtime. We think it will break the back of it.

“And we are particularly sensitive to the fact that the public holiday is coming up on August 3, and so we know just before the holiday there is always a demand for passports,” he added. “And I am trying bring in extra manpower on the evening prior to the weekend to see whether or not we can anticipate what the demand is going to be and to lessen the shortage that exists.”

Mr Mitchell is urging Bahamians to be respectful and patient with staff, and for staff to do the same.

“There has got to be mutual respect,” he said. “We are trying to do the best we can; our best may not be good enough but it is the best we can do at the moment, and I am just urging people to be civil and patient in the circumstances.”

He also warned that November 15 is the deadline for all Bahamians to have e-passports as the handwritten passports will not be accepted at the border for passage to another country beyond the deadline date.

As a result of this, Mr Mitchell said there has been great demand for e-passports. He also noted that passports for minors expire every five years which is also contributing to the demand and backlog they are experiencing at the Passport Office.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said there is confusion in Grand Bahama concerning the cost of passports. He said the fee for passports remains at $50 and the wait time is approximately 12 weeks.

“It is longer than we would like because it is up from six weeks just last year, but it has been an unusual demand for passports, especially during the summertime when people are travelling,” he said, adding that those requiring a passport within 48 hours will have to pay a $200 fee.

In order to avoid passport troubles, Mr Mitchell advised persons to apply for passports 12 weeks in advance of their travel plans. He said persons and large family groups travelling together should check to ensure that passports are valid before booking travel arrangements or going to the airport.

“We are trying to sensitise people to this because often it is discovered at the airport that someone’s passport has expired,” he said.

Mr Mitchell also explained that the $200 fee in addition to the $50 fee will apply to those who have lost two passports within 12 months.

“We found in the Consulate Office overseas that there are chronic losers of passports, and it usually happens in the South Florida area,” Mr Mitchell said. “We have issued warnings for Bahamians not to leave their passports in the glove compartment and in a briefcase in their vehicle because Bahamians, it appears, are targets at shopping malls in South Florida.”