By Leonardo Blair, Staff ReporterTHE REGISTRAR General's Department (RGD) has been cutting lines, crowds and even security since they began delivering completed certificates door-to-door, last month, says CEO, Dr. Patricia Holness.
In an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, Dr. Holness explained that since the RGD standardised door-to-door responses to all applications on March 1, this year, the crowds and long lines associated with operations at the department have been cut drastically.
"We have taken down four tents (generally used to house crowds) and we are also now using less security," said Dr. Holness.
Dr. Holness, who has been on a comprehensive drive to increase efficiency in her Department, told The Gleaner that the door-to-door service has resulted in her workers being able to work more efficiently with fewer persons crowding the office.
Dr. Holness, who was responding to questions on whether there were any further plans to increase user fees at the agency in light of comments by Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies last week, that some departments will have to increase user fees said: "We have no plans to increase fees because we had an increase last November," said Dr. Holness. The RGD head said the major focus this year would be on increasing efficiency in the department and making necessary cutbacks. She explained that the RGD was also realising "efficiencies" in the use of water, light and other utilities.
The department announced a major hike in its fees last November which was designed to earn an additional $44 million to meet its expenses and invest in improving efficiencies.
The increases ranged from 25 per cent to as high as 250 per cent.
The new fees for birth, deaths and marriage certificates where the entry number is supplied with the application rose by 86 per cent to $650. An application submitted without an entry number went up to $750.
