Encounter with two public servants

THE EDITOR: It is not often that a member of the public congratulates a civil servant for being dedicated to his work. However after the service I received, I wish to publicly thank one Mr Suresh Ramlal from the Registrar General office. His modus operandi was similar to that of a worker in the private sector.

He was well attired with his tie, very attentive, soft-spoken and fluent in his mannerism of speech. Above all he dealt with me professionally and speedily. About three weeks ago, he went out of his way to assist me in rectifying a problem on a birth certificate for one of my children. He located the birth book himself, after the vault attendant was incognito like Billy the kid, and some search clerks were behaving like morons. On that specific day, there were at least ten people of all ages and race waiting on him, and he dealt with all of them efficiently the same way he treated me.

This is in sharp contrast when I visited that same office on a previous occasion with a similar problem. I vividly remember being forced to tears by a temperamental female officer who was in charge at the time. Unlike Mr Ramlal, she seemed to be glued on to her seat with Evo-stic. This woman was very hostile and her general attitude and behaviour towards members of the public waiting to see her left much to be desired. She kept the public waiting for hours, apart from her hour and thirty minutes lunch break, and did not care if people travelled long distances from the country areas. I was even shocked to see her distastefully bawling up at her own staff in front of the public. The Public Service could certainly do without these types of recalcitrant and pompous lazy officers. Many of them are square pegs in round holes with their own agendas that run contrary to the functioning of an efficient and productive working environment. I sincerely hope the Minister of Public Administration, Lenny Saith can transform the service with more Ramlals.

AMELIA WALCOTT
Toco