GRO records being digitized

GINA, GUYANA, Monday, October 17, 2016

Obtaining a birth, death or marriage certificate may soon be easier as the government moves to complete the digitisation of records at the General Registrar’s Office(GRO).

Records at the GRO for the period 1987 to present are to be put in a digital format that would make search and retrieval easier and faster.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the process which started this year should be completed soon.

Felix explained that the digitization process will also enable the GRO to secure records for much longer periods and under safer conditions. He said the ministry is awaiting approval for additional consultancy services that would see the GRO being computerized to handle the digitized records.

“I’m awaiting a report from the E-Government’s department because they did another bid. The bids have just been assessed and I think out of this project contractors will be identified soon so I’m just awaiting that report,” Felix said.

For years there have been numerous complaints about the slow delivery of services by the GRO. Felix assured that the government is working towards the delivery of better service to citizens.

Earlier this year it was reported that Guyana is to benefit from technical assistance to modernize its visas regime and remittances scheme under the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) – European Union (EU) Migration Action plan.

Minister Felix said that the Ministry of Citizenship will reengage the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to recommence the entire project. He explained that there were some difficulties with the private contractors who were sourced by IOM.

“Something went out of line of our expectation so that project seems hazy somewhere along the line. I have asked IOM for us to reengage and they have promised some action in that regard,” Felix said

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur