Minister of Health, Rudyard Spencer, has congratulated the Registrar General's Department (RGD) on the commissioning of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony system, which makes available 110 new telephone lines for customers.

"Today, the Registrar General's Department is pleased to inform the public that the new telephone system will be officially opened, and landline telephone service is now available at all its locations," Spencer said.

He was speaking at a function at the Twickenham Park head office of the RGD, Spanish Town, at which the US$158,000 system was officially declared open and made available to the public on Friday.

"This new system will not only improve their telecommunication capacity, but enhance their customer service delivery," the minister told the audience.

He pointed out that each year, the RGD serves over 250,000 Jamaicans and the new service will provide greater accessibility to services.

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"We commend the RGD on this noteworthy achievement, and pray for their continued success, as they continue to serve the Jamaican people both locally and in the diaspora," he added.

Chief executive officer of the RGD, Dr Patricia Holness, praised the staff, as well as Illuminat Jamaica, for partnering to effect the new technology, which allows telephone calls to be made using broadband Internet.

"Today marks another chapter in the life of the Registrar General's Department," Holness said, as she traced the path that led to this new milestone for the RGD.

She explained that in September 2007, the RGDs PBX system at the head office was damaged by lightning during a thunder storm, and the department lost over 85 lines. An assessment by Cable & Wireless Limited showed that it was better to replace the damaged equipment than to repair it, and a study of the VoIP technology was conducted.

"The agency determined that this technology would be ideal for fulfilling its telephone communication needs for now and beyond," she explained.

In April 2008, the agency invited individuals to submit tender proposals to assess their ability to design and implement a solution. At the end of the process, Illuminat Jamaica Limited was awarded the contract at a cost of US$158,000.