RGD's antiquated system frustrating

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am forced to complain about the poor service been offered by the Registrar General's Department (RGD) to myself, acting on behalf of my disabled (blind), indigent and unemployed (without any income), brother, Aaron Williams.

Acting on the advice of the RGD, Aaron Williams applied for a search to be done to precede his applying for his birth certificate.

On August 22, 2012, I contacted the RGD, Twickenham Park, by telephone to get an update on the search. The operator, Selmin Rose, informed me that the search was completed, with negative results. He further advised me to come to the RGD and apply for a formal search to be done (a more detailed search at a cost of $6,000). This cost is exorbitant and prohibitive, especially considering that my brother is utterly destitute.

Since this development, I have been trying to make personal contact with the CEO, to no avail.

I am dissatisfied with the treatment that was meted out to Mr Williams, given his disablement. After a year, he is still unable to acquire reasonable service from the RGD. Instead, his quest has been made even more challenging. Bear in mind that when the application was made, he was under 60 years of age.

With the advent of technology, in this information age, that the RGD still employs the use of antiquated search systems is shocking to me. I am of the view that the delay is wilful, despite numerous complaints.

This matter is scandalous. I would want to believe that the RGD exists to help and give fair, careful and just service that is timely.

I would like to sensitise employees of the RGD to a thought that says: "No joy can equal the joy of serving others," by Sai Baba. I can be contacted by telephone at 984-4139.

Vivian Williams,

Spanish Town, St Catherine