By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin yesterday dismissed claims from the Official Opposition over the rollout of the Road Traffic Department’s automated system as misinformation.

The Free National Movement continued its rebuke of the government’s rollout of the new system yesterday, stating that it was “dumbfounded” by the lack of planning concerning the exercise.

The FNM claimed that the government had re-engaged Deloitte and Touche for the registration process, and that senior staff had been sidelined at the department. Both claims were denied by Mrs Hanna Martin.

The party said while it has “trail blazed” efforts to improve revenue collection and service delivery, it found the introduction of a new system without sufficient information or internal staff training “unacceptable and unprofessional”.

It said furthered that the government exacerbated the issue because the new license plates are unavailable, noting that the new system was driven by license plate numbers.

The party said it was disgraceful that the government found it acceptable to collect fees but only issue a receipt to motorists, a move that disregarded the law.

The license plates are being manufactured by John R Wald Company Inc, a US industry leader in license plate manufacturing and distribution systems.

Mrs Hanna Martin explained that the company will be engaged in a maintenance role once plate manufacturing resumes at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. She said that distribution of the new plates should begin within the next two days. In the past plates were always made by the prisoners with the assistance of the Ministry of Works.

It is unclear why license plates were not available in time for the rollout; however, a source close to the matter said that the purchase was “ill timed”.

The FNM also criticised the doubling in cost of the new system by Data Torque, which it said was initially estimated at $4.5m but introduced at a cost of $9m.

The RTD’s $8m automated system eliminates handwritten vehicle information discs, in a bid to streamline the licensing and registration processes. The new electronic system is expected to make it easier for persons to license their vehicles and put an end to having to register the same vehicle every year.

Mrs Hanna Martin yesterday defended the new system as a major and critical investment, pointing out that the total cost for the system included more than just the Data Torque contract. Also included were costs for locally purchased hardware and software, and local consultants.

The FNM statement said: “The government has yet to formulate and present to Parliament the legislation that would amend the ‘licence plate for life legislation’ that would permit the reservation of plates and for the government to issue existing numbers to different customers.

It read: “This is significant because persons who have lost one of their plates during the hurricane cannot get replacement plates and the department is in the process of reserving plates and charging fees which may be contrary to the existing legislation.”

The party questioned why the government re-engaged the firm Deloitte and Touche to oversee the registration process, pointing to the large recall of license discs that occurred the last time the company was contracted.

“The government lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in this process so we ask the question, why are we engaging a failed company in the process once again?” the statement said.

The party also claimed that the government has sidelined permanent senior staff in favour of temporary workers as the “face of the department and the leaders of the automation process.”

“This has not only totally demoralised many of the hardworking staff members but it has also resulted in making the department even more dysfunctional.

It continued: “The lack of experience and trained customer service staff members is further proof that the government does not give priority to customer service in their agencies.”

Mrs Hanna Martin called both claims untrue, stating that Deloitte and Touche have not been engaged in the registration process, adding that the RTD’s team boasted a cadre of experienced senior staff.

The Road Traffic Department also dismissed the FNM’s claims yesterday.

“The claims made by the FNM are patently false and irresponsible,” the department said. “There is no contract with Deloitte and Touche with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to carry out any function at the Road Traffic Department. Licence plates have been produced and the Road Traffic Department expects the plates to be distributed by Monday, October 31.

“The consulting company Data Torque successfully won the bid and was approved by the Tenders Board after a competitive process overseen by the Ministry of Finance. There has been no doubling of the contract: the sum of $8m incorporates local consultancies, training, travel, acquisition of hardware and other components to the system.

“The hardworking Road Traffic Department team has been working even harder over the last weeks and days, including in the registration of vehicles. They have exhibited the highest standards of commitment and excellence of which all Bahamians can be proud. The FNM should not misrepresent their invaluable contribution in this historic and new paradigm in the business of our country,” the statement said.

On Tuesday, Mrs Hanna Martin admitted the department did not anticipate the chaos and “glitches” with the new system, which she acknowledged was “unacceptable”.

She said the department would roll out several measures aimed at combatting the chaos and long lines at the department’s temporary national stadium location, beginning with extending operating hours.

Apart from new operating hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, the Carmichael Road office, which was previously closed down, will reopen during the first week in November, she said.