THE RGD

Does Jamaica need a Registrar General’s Department (RGD)? Of course we do. For this department is the repository of the most important documents needed to do just about anything in the country. Yet the fact that the one we currently have does not provide quick, efficient service or in some instances, any service at all, is tolerated by all our governments.

To begin with, can you believe that this most important department has not had a working switchboard for over two years? Further, it is almost impossible to find a working number form the long list of numbers their recording spits out. As to getting the number of someone in charge, if you do, such numbers are met a recording saying …..‘this party does not accept incoming calls!”.

Oh yes they are very efficient at extorting large fees from the public for “express” and other services, but giving any value for money does not seem to be on the agenda there.

The RGD falls under the Ministry of Health, so the buck stops with Minister Ruddy Spencer and his Permanent Secretary. It cannot be that they are unaware of the lack of professionalism and poor performance there, since for years, the call -in programs have been replete with complaints on a daily basis against that department. Has the present government which campaigned on "change" ever made a move to have the services there improved? Absolutely not.

Oh yes, they are excellent on rhetoric but absolutely incompetent when it comes to performance.

I wonder if the new economic measures should be accepted as a serious intention by the government to finally going start doing the job they were elected to? If this is so, why not have a quick cabinet reshuffle and get rid of non performing ministers?Of course I would never hold my breath.

Quite frankly though, I thing it would be a better idea if the functions of the RGD were divested to a couple firms in the private sector where at least competition would bring about a better level of efficiency and customer service.

For the record, my, latest frustrations with the RGD had to do with getting a death certificate for my late best friend Hilma Walker who died in November 2009. Her son and my godson, needed it urgently so he could insure the car which is in her name but which he drives to UWI where he is a medical student. We paid for "express' 7 day service, but you guessed it. Ten days later, we were no closer to getting the document.

It took a complaint to "Perkins on Line " to get some action., for the minute a complaint against that organisation is aired on the programme, the manager, Mrs. Holness usually calls immediately. She did.

Although he got the documents two days after the complaint was aired, guess what, they sent it to the wrong address. But I guess we should be grateful for small mercies, for they could have sent it to Dovecot!