Dear Editor,
If one wants to see the poorest display of respect and customer services they should visit the New Amsterdam Traffic/Licensing Office, housed at Coburg Street, New Amsterdam.
Drivers and motorists frequent this office to make sure their driving documents such as provisional licences, motor vehicle licences, certificates of fitness, and revenue licences are renewed and fully up-to-date.
However there is not a time of the day that this office is not crowded with people. There are no proper seating arrangements. There is no structure for being seen by any of the two officers stationed there to prepare renewal documents for motorists. The office is supposed to operate from 8 am-11am and 1pm-2 pm. However, many a time the officers stroll in very much past the 8 o’ clock hour.
That is why there is a build- up of people who require the service of the licensing office.
With the increase of vehicles on the roads, there would be an increase of motorists who require the various legal documents for operating on the roads in Berbice.
Now I come to the part dealing with courtesy and customer services. There are none at this office. I have seen customers being verbally “handled” by either of the officers who work at the counter. Persons are afraid to conduct business at this office; I am sure, because of the intimidation which often takes place there.
These attendants could surely use some customer- friendly skills to help them to better deal with the public.
Persons who go at the Licensing Office are not begging for their services. Persons pay money to get certain documents prepared; hence they should be treated with respect. At this or any other public place which deals with the public on a regular basis, persons should be addressed as, “sir” or “ma’am”, nothing else is acceptable.
I suggest the officials at this office in New Amsterdam change the way they interact with the motoring public. But then again, this is the picture at almost every “government” office which deals with the public. It is the fact that persons employed at these places are underpaid, hence they are motivated very little to do their job in a dignified manner.
Yours faithfully,
Amrita Arjune
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to the Licensing Office at New Amsterdam for any comments they may wish to make.
