Why are people standing in line for hours to pick their passports?

People have expressed their grave concerns after standing in line for hours for their passport pickup, only to be told to return on a different day.

Some people have told us that when they visited the department, it looks disorganised and chaotic.

This poor service has seriously affected many people.

A resident from Makoi who wishes to remain anonymous says she has gone to the Immigration Office three times this month for her passport pickup.

She says she waited from 10am to 3pm on the 16th of August but eventually was asked to leave as her passport was not ready and she was to return after 15 working days.

She says it is more frustrating as they are asked to come to the office for the pickup, and upon asking what is the delay, she was told that since the application was made in Nadi, they have to wait.

She raised the question why are they asked to come to the office, and wait in line for almost 5 hours, to only find out that they have to come back again.

The Makoi resident adds that the officers have now lost her receipt.

Meanwhile, another person says they have to wait to submit their receipt and then to pick their passport.

He says it would be easier if efficient systems are adopted to avoid the long wait.

We sent questions to the Department of Immigration last Wednesday, and they are yet to respond.