Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
BY the end of this year, applications for electronic passports will be processed online, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield yesterday.
This is in a bid to decentralise the operations of the cramped Thompson Boulevard Passport Office, which becomes chaotic particularly in the summer months as people apply for these documents.
Asked by The Tribune how his ministry planned to deal with issues at the office during peak season, Mr Henfield revealed that the system was being tested now for a roll out “soon”.
The concept will feature passport application kiosks at post offices and/or libraries to cut back on the need for people to physically go to the Passport Office.
He made the announcement a week after the ministry released a new policy for e-passport renewals. It requires a completed application form, existing electronic passport, a standard passport photo and National Insurance Board smart card to ensure a more efficient process.
“The Passport Office as we all know is not built fit for the purpose and so we’re looking at decentralising the operations of the Passport Office in areas of New Providence that are highly populated where people can walk in, go on a computer and apply for their passports online to make the process a bit more amenable for Bahamians,” the minister said outside of Cabinet.
“I visited the Passport Office myself on Friday, sat on a bench and spoke with some of our clients, some Bahamian citizens that were there. We are looking at tweaking the way we do (things), trying to do things better and make it more amenable for Bahamians as they come to get their passport.
“It’s a work in progress and I think we are making tremendous strides. When we get the online systems up and running, which we are testing now currently. . .you’d be able to make your applications online. I think that’s going to alleviate a lot of the burdens on the Passport Office itself and on Bahamians,” Mr Henfield continued.
He was apprehensive about giving a timeline, but gave an idea of a roll out when asked if it would be within the year.
“Absolutely I think within the year. I can say that safely within the year Bahamians should be able to walk into a kiosk in a post office or somewhere centrally located in New Providence or library and apply for their passports online and be able to complete the process.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 5 months ago
This should make it much easier for the Haitian cyber-criminals and human smugglers to ensure that each illegal Haitian immigrant in the Bahamas is the bearer of a newly minted electronic Bahamian passport. LMAO
TheMadHatter 5 years, 5 months ago
Ha haaa hha ha hha ha ha ha hh hhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa hha ahhhhhhh ah hhhaaaaaaa LOL
You will never see it happen. Not in this backward hellhole. Keep dreaming folks.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 5 months ago
Ya got dat right. ROWL
Cheabo 5 years, 5 months ago
I do not usually comment but there is no way I could pass this opportunity to relay my disappointment in the running of the passport office. If the Minister indeed visited the the passport office on Friday, I am sure he got the "ministerial" tour as opposed to the way the common person has to endure this process. No caring person who has responsibility for this portfolio would allow the process to continue. I renewed my passport in April and got to the passport office at 4:15 a.m and was the 18th person in line. This is no established process but fortunately someone had a pad and pen and we all decided ourselves to set up a sign in register to avoid problems whenever the authorized person showed up. While waiting for the office to open, there is no bathroom facilities, police presence, proper lighting, enough seating etc. Older persons having to relieve themselves in the nearby bushes, persons with babies sitting on air condition blowers etc. An awful, disgusting situation. I have no idea what would happen if it rains. Prior to the doors opening at 8:30 a.m. the persons with political connections are allowed to "jump" the line so that they could get to work on time. This is absolutely wrong. Minister Henfield - our Prime Minister got elected on the theme of it being the "people's time". This is certainly not happening at the passport office. I assume you to be a caring person. Please visit the passport office tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. and take notes (you should have already done this) and you will be embarrassed but the poor job your ministry has done for the Bahamian people. Apologize and correct immediately or do the honorable thing and allow a caring person to resolve.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 5 months ago
Good idea - but he won't do it. He will tuck your idea away on a Post-It note in his back pocket, to use as a campaign promise in 2022. Boy dem campaign promises is sound good eh? Muddo. The root of the problem here falls at the feet of the Governor General, who - even though appointed by the PM (a while after new elections, like now) - always refuses to fire government workers, when needed. Remember, government workers work for the GG not the PM. But that hill is be real comfy and ting, and so they don't know about dem old people on the AC unit at 5am sweatin.
FINALLY - let me repeat for the umpteenth time. AS LONG AS Bahamians continue to come out and jump up and down, drink, dance, and sing like idiots on July 10th celebrating their captivity and caveman life - the government will continue to give it to them. Just ask Alfred Gray.
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