The Tribune

ALLOWING access to the Registrar General’s services from e-Government portals will help Family Island administrators use basic Justice of the Peace powers to confirm births, deaths and marriages, Attorney General Allyson Mayndard-Gibson said.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson, State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez, and Permanent Secretary Archie Nairn, along with IT specialists from the Registrar General’s Office in New Providence, visited the Local Government offices in Harbour Island, North Eleuthera, Central and South Eleuthera to install and briefly train staff in use of the technology associated with producing the official documents, which will cost the public about $10 each.

“This entire project is really the mandate of our prime minister, who is adamant that we will be seen truly as one nation.

“We are an island-nation and people who live in the far flung islands should feel that their government cares about them, and that they are entitled to the same kinds of services that exist in Nassau,” said Mrs Maynard-Gibson.

The Attorney General referred to an incident involving a Bahamian woman who needed to have copies of vital documents such as birth certificates and passports.

She said the Eleuthera resident explained that the only way to get the services was to plan a $500 trip to New Providence and pay for accommodations, transportation, meals.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said she also wants to reduce the cost and increase the convenience of doing business in the Family Islands.

She wants the nation to raise its international profile; currently the Bahamas is the 77th most convenient country to operate international business.

“I texted the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I told him that ‘Look, certified copies of birth certificates are needed and we can get them right here in our own community. Let’s bring the mobile unit for e-Passports to North Eleuthera and to South Eleuthera as well, that way people can get their birth certificates, and also their passports right at home’.

“So, rather than spending $500 for you getting a service you can get in your own community, let’s provide our people, as the Prime Minister has dictated, services in their own community – well that’s convenience for our people,” said the Attorney General.