Dear Claudienne,

I misplaced my birth certificate, but found my birth registration slip with my name spelt correctly. I applied (Express Service) for a new birth certificate via Jamaica’s Registrar General’s Department (RGD) using my birth registration slip as reference.

The new birth certificate was issued with my middle name spelt incorrectly – an ‘L’ instead of ‘H’ – ‘KHALEE instead of ‘KHAHEE.’

Since October 2, 2014, I have been attempting to have the RGD correct the error which they made. On one occasion a customer service representative contacted me and requested another copy of the birth registration slip, which I sent via e-mail. I have heard nothing further, and efforts to contact the RGD have been in vain.

I had my biological father (mother deceased) take the issue to the Mandeville Collectorate, and he was told that the error would have been corrected. Since November, he has been visiting the Mandeville Collectorate every week, only to be told that “it is not ready”.

I need my birth certificate for Immigration purposes in Canada…and to meet strict deadlines. I am currently in Canada, and am unable to carry out my business because of this obstacle. Except for this new birth certificate, all my documents (passport, licences, degrees etc.) bear my correct name which was on my original birth certificate.

My two sisters had similar issues with the RGD. When they applied for new birth certificates, they were issued with birth papers bearing the wrong names, even though the names on the old birth certificates were correct. One of my sisters went through hell, including having to return to the primary school that my deceased mother attended 40+ years ago, to have her birth certificate corrected. My other sister had to do a deed poll.

I am beginning to wonder about the effectiveness of this agency of the state . This is a disservice to Jamaican citizens, and as my Canadian lawyer aptly said, “This happens too often with Jamaican birth certificates and someone/ people should be fired — government or not.”

I am at a loss to know to whom to report this matter. I only need my birth certificate, but the ineptitude seems to pervade all ranks within the system.

I am so frustrated. Please help me.

AL

Dear AL

We asked the RGD to investigate your complaint but they were hampered by not having your full name or the tracking number for your Express Service application.

You promptly sent Tell Claudienne the additional information requested by the RGD and we sent it to them.

We note that the RGD has now sent you an e-mail stating the following:

“In response to your email regarding correction of your middle name to read KHAHEE, the correction is presently being done and the corrected certificates will be ready for delivery shortly. Thanks for your patience and understanding in having the matter resolved.”

We will follow up this matter with the RGD.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

Kindly assist me with the following situation. On January 6, I made a purchase of $300 Digicel phone credit from an NCB ABM in the Pavilion Mall. The transaction number is …….; however, the credit was not sent to my phone.

I contacted Digicel who said I should contact the bank as they had no record of the transaction.

I contacted the NCB customer care department who took quite a bit of information from me about my account. They told me that the $375 deduction was actually made from my account and that within one to two working days I would receive the credit.

I did not receive the credit and when I called NCB customer care again, I was told that they were going to send an email to technical service so that I could have my credit.

Eight days have passed and after five calls and an email to the customer service department I have received no word as to when I will receive my $300 Digicel phone credit. Each time I call, the representative takes the information as if it is the first time I am calling. The tracking number from NCB is…….

Kindly look into this matter for me.

AB

Dear AB

We asked NCB to address your complaint. NCB has responded to Tell Claudienne as follows:

“The lost credit has been restored to the customer following investigations and communication with the third party provider.

So far we have made three attempts to contact AB via phone to verify her receipt of this and to ensure that she is satisfied. However, all these calls have proven futile. A voice message was left by the NCB officer handling the matter, requesting that AB make contact with us confirming receipt/non receipt of the credit. We await this confirmation.

Regards.”

We have phoned you and note that you have received the credit from NCB.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.