Therein lies the lack of professionalism
THE EDITOR: What is our "sweet TT" country coming to! When we will get serious about the service we get especially from government offices. Apart from other establishments, my grouse is with the Immigration Office on Frederick Street. Now, I am writing this letter for the Minister of National Security, the Chief Immigration Officer and the general public to be aware of something that happened that a serious look has to be taken into consideration. I went to renew my passport on June 11, 2005 with all particulars and photocopies in hand and after processing (which normally takes an entire morning once you reach before 6 am) I was told to come back within 15 working days which works out to be roughly three weeks. So said but not so done...because I gave them a week extra. So, that would meant that I didn’t pick it up on July 13, 2005, but I did so on July 21, 2005. To my surprise when I went to collect it I was told that I had no pictures on my form so it could not be processed. Furthermore, I will have to get two pictures and come back! Now, what is amazing is that the pictures were stapled on the form during processing but yet still it came off! So I asked, "how did it come off if it was stapled?" and I was told that probably in transit to wherever it fell off! Now Mr Minister and Mr CIO, where is the professionalism in dealing with an important document as a passport that a stapled picture has to go missing! Where is the courtesy of a phone call to inform that person that they may need to come in or to the Immigration Office or get replacement photos because of what happened! Where is the evidence to show that all was done to look for those pictures (one signed) which is very important to a passport being issued. Now, this brings into light a serious question about fraudulent activities which I want to make the public aware of because someone (inside) can now put my face to a name on a passport which can be used by someone with a good disguise who specialises in looking like another or it may even be that someone who comes to collect a passport may see my face on their passport! So, I have to go to pay for two more passport photos. Come on Immigration Officers and personnel. You need to get your act together and give "john-public" better service! And for those who may have similar experiences use your voice or your pen and write about it so that they and others would know that we demand good service! K PIERRE Arouca
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"Therein lies the lack of professionalism"