Government signs contract for civil registry information system

Road Town, Tortola - Government has signed a contract worth $148,200.00 for the installation of a Civil Registry Information System (CRIS) at the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE signed the contract last week with Mr. Rob Slocum, President of Global Isle Ltd.

Honourable O’Neal congratulated Mr. Slocum on being awarded the contract and said, “The Civil Registry and Passport Office has a reputation for giving good service and anything to help them improve the services they offer is a priority.”

Registrar-General Mrs. Stephanie Benn expressed her delight in the signing of the contract and spoke about the benefits of the CRIS.

Mrs. Benn explained that once the system is in place, Government departments will have respective custom-designed interfaces, which will allow them to access a database. “For example, the Department of Immigration will be able to perform an enquiry to see what visas will expire, or have expired, within a selected date range,” she added.

Another component of the CRIS will be a website designed to provide information, allow printing of forms, and the electronic submission of applications.

Mr. Slocum thanked the Government of the Virgin Islands for the opportunity to showcase what his company can do. He also spoke about the advantages of the site not only for the Civil Registry and Passport Office but for other government departments such as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the BVI Tourist Board because of the linkage capabilities the site will have once completed.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Ms. Arlene Smith chaired the brief ceremony and witnessed the Premier’s signature on behalf of the Government. She too expressed her pleasure in the signing of the contract and the added benefits it will bring to the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to improving customer service in the public service by extending e-government initiatives to vital services.