There were chaotic scenes at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, (PICA) head office on Constant Spring Road in St. Andrew on Wednesday officials stopped accepting passport applications.
Several persons objected to the decision and blasted the agency for how it was handling the situation.
However, PICCA said it had reached the limit for applications due the daily quota of one thousand – and that was reached at 8 am
When contacted Chief Executive Officer of PICA, Jennifer McDonald said the situation was being discussed.
On Tuesday, the agency introduced a daily quota in order to manage number of applications ahead of the scheduled fee increase that takes effect next Tuesday.
The daily quota applies to all PICA locations and will be in place for the rest of the week.
PICA will process 150 applications at its Mandeville office, 250 in Montego Bay, 100 each in St Ann's Bay and May Pen and 90 in Portmore.
Meanwhile, scores of applicants crowded PICA’s office in Montego Bay.
When RJR News visited the location, the office was filled with customers, many of whom lined the staircase leading to the entrance. It’s understood that some applicants arrived as early as 4am.
In St. Elizabeth personnel at the PICA outpost at the Black River Police Station turned up for work about noon .
It's understood that the police sent home more than 30 applicants due to the closed sign on the door to the PICA office. The sign indicated that the office would be closed until next week Wednesday.
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