What's wrong with the RGD?
published: Thursday | September 29, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IS IT possible that Dr. Patricia Holness, head of RGD, can give a detailed summary of how her department operates and what the public can expect whenever they apply for a document? The many horror stories emanating from the public dealing with the RGD must be of grave concern and need to be addressed. We often compare 'foreign' with Jamaica but in this age of technology, I think a comparison here is justified.

Recently in Miami, I went to the Downtown Office where copies of birth certificates are obtained. I put 50 cents in the meter for an hour. On entering the office there were two persons ahead of me. Numerous signs and directives are posted around the room detailing the steps to follow to obtain the document. Clipboards with the appropriate forms are liberally scattered around the room. I filled in mine, went up to the cashier, paid the appropriate fee (just one type of fee) and sat down. Within minutes my name was called. I collected my document and exited. On arriving at my car I saw that 16 minutes had elapsed. If a State with over 11 million persons can process that document in minutes, then surely something must be drastically wrong with the RGD if it takes days/weeks/months/years to do the same with a population of only two million.

I am, etc.,

L.GAYLE

laronsmia@aol.com

P.O.Box 492.

Kingston 5