Dear Editor,
I am deeply concerned about what I consider to be a grave injustice being perpetrated by the Registrar General's Department (RGD).
This concerns the long turnaround time it takes to process an extra copy of birth certificate from the time of application vis-a-vis the cost of the document itself.
It takes six to eight weeks for the regular service at a cost of $1,500 and $500 for each additional copy. The fees move up to $2,500 for seven days of processing, and $4,000 for an express service of three days.
Why should one have to wait for this inordinate period of time to obtain a copy of a document that already exists in the system database? Can the RGD justify such lengthy delay, especially within the context of the plethora of modern technology that allow for a much speedier retrieval and processing of data and accompanying documentation? Or, is this a deliberate and calculated ploy to heap frustrations on citizens?
Naturally, if applicants find that they will have to endure a waiting time of six to eight weeks to receive something that they are in urgent need of, they will opt for a shorter time and pay extra for it. So then, would it be unreasonable to conclude that such policy is more geared toward profiteering on the part of the RGD than it is to offer very efficient service and give real value for money?
This, to my mind, is grossly iniquitous and warrants the intervention of consumer agencies like the Consumer Affairs Commission.
Lebert J Brown
Brown's Hall PO
St Catherine.
lebertbrown@yahoo.com
RGD's express service ploy?
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I am deeply concerned about what I consider to be a grave injustice being perpetrated by the Registrar General's Department (RGD).
This concerns the long turnaround time it takes to process an extra copy of birth certificate from the time of application vis-a-vis the cost of the document itself.
It takes six to eight weeks for the regular service at a cost of $1,500 and $500 for each additional copy. The fees move up to $2,500 for seven days of processing, and $4,000 for an express service of three days.
Why should one have to wait for this inordinate period of time to obtain a copy of a document that already exists in the system database? Can the RGD justify such lengthy delay, especially within the context of the plethora of modern technology that allow for a much speedier retrieval and processing of data and accompanying documentation? Or, is this a deliberate and calculated ploy to heap frustrations on citizens?
Naturally, if applicants find that they will have to endure a waiting time of six to eight weeks to receive something that they are in urgent need of, they will opt for a shorter time and pay extra for it. So then, would it be unreasonable to conclude that such policy is more geared toward profiteering on the part of the RGD than it is to offer very efficient service and give real value for money?
This, to my mind, is grossly iniquitous and warrants the intervention of consumer agencies like the Consumer Affairs Commission.
Lebert J Brown
Brown's Hall PO
St Catherine.
lebertbrown@yahoo.com
RGD's express service ploy?
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