Registrar General’s Department and Freedom of Information unit to move into Bahamas Financial Center
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Ryan Pinder said yesterday that the government has retained a firm to develop an online platform for the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) that will be modeled after the Cayman Island’s RGD platform.
Pinder, during his contribution to the supplementary budget debate in the Senate, noted that for too long the functions of the department have been plagued by inadequate facilities and service delivery issues.
He said the Attorney General’s Office’s capital budget expenditure has been reduced from $1.25 million to $800,000.
“We have some big projects and could utilize the capital budget originally budgeted, but we understand the challenges before us and will work within the confines given to us,” said Pinder.
“The focus of the capital expenditure for the remaining of the fiscal year will primarily be on the upgrade and move of the Registrar General Department, as well as the Freedom of Information (FOI) unit.
“Both of these institutions contribute greatly to the open and transparent functions of government, and towards the ease of doing business and social activities in the country.
“Both institutions will move from their current locations that are deficient for each of their operations. Both the RGD and the FOI will move into purpose-renovated space in the Bahamas Financial Center.
“This would allow for a professional working environment with the space and accommodations to properly service the public.”
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For too long, the functions of the RGD have been plagued by inadequate facilities, technology that doesn’t function appropriately, service delivery issues and a lack of organization and maintenance of orderly files and documentation.
– Attorney General Ryan Pinder
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He added: “I think it appropriate to note that the financial center space was secured in January 2021 by the former government and attorney general, however, the space was never utilized nor renovated. One year of vacant possession at the cost to the Bahamian taxpayer.
“We will ensure that the leased space is occupied with a new and cutting-edge delivery of services from the RGD and the FOI.
“Necessary expenditure from our budget this year will be for the continued digitization project for the RGD. The functions of the RGD are imperative not only for the social welfare of the country with marriages, births, deaths and necessary registrations, but it is also the backbone of an effective commercial delivery, being the department responsible for everything company and entity-related, both domestically and internationally.
“For too long, the functions of the RGD have been plagued by inadequate facilities, technology that doesn’t function appropriately, service delivery issues and a lack of organization and maintenance of orderly files and documentation.”
According to Pinder, these issues are currently in the process of being remediated by the move to new facilities and the development of a purpose-built online platform for the delivery of these vital functions.
“The government has retained a firm to develop an online platform for the RGD that will be modeled after the successful Cayman Island RGD platform, allowing for the delivery of services to all parties online and in as expedited a fashion as possible,” the attorney general said.
“This will go a long way to improving the ease of doing business.”
