With more emphasis on serving the citizens in better way, the government is working to get rid of tall bureaucracy in all government departments.
HRH Prime Minister stressed the need to intensify efforts to eradicate bureaucracy and slow procedures impeding or delaying the citizens’ access to government services, and requested ministries and government departments to evaluate their procedures, assess their employees’ productivity and make sure that they assume their duties in the right way and respond to the citizens’ complaints rapidly.
Marking the 21st Gulf Cup, currently hosted by the kingdom under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa asserted that the Gulf Cup is more than a sporting event, adding that it embodies the solid fraternal and cooperation ties bonding the participating countries.
HRH Premier welcomed the Kingdom’s distinguished guests, praising the tremendous efforts exerted by organisers to project the bright image of the country and wishing the participating teams every success.
Speaking as he chaired, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the regular weekly cabinet meeting, HRH Prime Minister hailed the tangible progress made regarding the performance of police, commending the efforts of the security officers to safeguard the kingdom’s security and stability as two basic pillars for social progress and prosperity.
HRH Premier praised the outstanding skills and performance displayed by the fifth batch of the students of the Royal Academy of Police (RAP) during their graduation ceremony, held under his patronage last Thursday.
Regarding the services provided by the government for the citizens, HRH Premier stressed that all ministries and state departments should focus their efforts on serving the citizens and completing their transactions quickly, and instructed ministers and officials to visit various regions in the Kingdom in order to make sure that each one enjoys full government services and facilities, particularly housing.
He also issued directives to provide all citizens in remote areas with all service facilities and needs, especially the educational one.
On health, the cabinet was briefed by the Health Minister on the quality of the medicines available in the kingdom and was reassured on their safety.
Then, the cabinet agreed to activate the Elderly Card through which elders can get a 50% reduction of fees of services, including construction, ownership certificates, municipality, renewal of driving licenses, vehicle registration, passports and employee’s work permits, issuance of identity card, recruitment of a housemaid and special rooms in the Slamaniya Medical Complex, in line with the government’s keen interest to support elderly people and ensure them decent living.
The Social Development Ministry was requested to coordinate with the Finance Ministry and other relevant sides and take the necessary executive steps in order to issue the Elderly Card.
The Cabinet also endorsed a proposal submitted by the Electricity and Water Authority regarding the content of the electricity and water bills, noting that the government spends about BD 350 million each year as subsidies on electricity and water.
Concerning efforts to ensure the availability of construction materials, as a basic requirement for the urban development witnessed by the kingdom, the cabinet discussed a number of visions, including the establishment a special port to import those materials, particularly sand.
The issue of subsidised foods, particularly red meat, also came under spotlight during the session during which the Ministries of Finance and Industry and Commerce were requested to study the executive steps required to ensure that subsidies reach only the targeted sides and come up with proposals on ways to achieve food safety.
The cabinet also discussed a draft-law incriminating the smuggling of subsidized fuel out of the country and referred it to the Ministerial Committee on Legal Affairs for further study.
The cabinet endorsed a proposal submitted by the Representatives Council on building a new Maternity Hospital in Muharraq and decided, upon directives from HRH Premier, to turn the current Maternity Hospital into a health establishment that benefits local citizens.
Other proposals to revamp the Grand Muharraq Park, relocate the sewage station from Hidd to an alternative site and establish an Elderly Care Centre for the Hoora and Gudaibiya citizens were also approved.