OUTLOOK — By Bakheet Al Khathiri — Transparency and openness in discussing society-related issues in the media undoubtedly bring about good results for providing dignified life for the citizens. Similarly, continuous follow-up by the officials and swift response to emerging issues, are conducive to solving outstanding problems and are quite helpful in avoiding bureaucracy and creating the elasticity needed in running administrative work.
Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan al Busaidy, the Minister of the States and Governor of Dhofar, responded well to the problem of power outage in Dhofar by holding a meeting with the electricity sector officials to discuss with them the issue in question which was raised in the media. This is a clear example of the officials’ attention to what is published in the media.
Recently, the Council of Ministers issued directives to the officials pointing out the necessity of field visits to be carried out by the officials on a regular basis as such visits give the officials the chance to closely monitor the services delivered to the citizens in different wilayats. The officials’ visits to different state entities ensure smooth administrative work, avoidance of delay and bureaucracy, speed and efficiency in accomplishing transactions as well as reduce the number of people frequenting the offices of ministers and under-secretaries.
Field visits constitute communication channels between top officials and the administration that fall under their supervision, thereby insuring direct follow-up and assessment to the projects being executed, particularly in the wilayats that are far away from the centres of governorates. Such visits provide the officials with clear picture of the reality on the ground, thereby enabling them to issue the right decisions based on real observations.
On the other hand it is equally necessary for ministries to embrace decentralisation policies in the administrative work and to delegate part of their jurisdictions to the directorates at the governorate level. This guarantees more flexibility and efficiency, facilitates the follow-up process and streamlines the delivery of services to beneficiaries.
The authorities are already making efforts in this regard and there is a plan for setting up a complex for state services which will include government departments concerned with delivering services to citizens and residents. This new complex is designed in such a way that it enables beneficiaries to accomplish under one roof transactions that in the past required them to frequent various departments.
Finally, I would like to confirm that the media is the mirror that reflects the issues of the society and its aspirations for a better and brighter future.
