ABU DHABI // Officials have welcomed the online portal “ihtimam” that allows citizens to make comments and suggestions about Government services.
The website was launched by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
FNC member, Hamad Al Rahoomi, (Dubai), said the idea of creating a communication tool was “excellent and beneficial”.
“It creates a communication channel for those who need it and in case someone needed help. Many people don’t find or can’t reach those in authority to speak to, if this reaches them it will be great,” he said.
He said the platform gives citizens the chance to express their ideas.
“The ideas shared could be special and unique which, I believe, will lead to good results. It is important to have such a channel with every entity and I wish to see results and reactions soon,” he said.
The website is user friendly and a form is provided where users can make a suggestion.
A text message confirming the message will then be sent to the user and an ihtimam employee will then contact them.
Twitter users have been discussing ideas and complaints to share on the website. Some of the ideas discussed include addressing the high prices charged by some telecommunications companies in the country.
The portal is welcoming queries on the performance of public services, problems with the mechanisms of a certain transaction, mistreatment from federal or local entity employees or delays in completing transactions.
Topics that do not fall within the framework of the initiative include court-related issues and personal disputes between members or groups of the public or requests relating to naturalisation.
The website was launched by Sheikh Mansour during the Government Summit in Dubai last month. For more information, visit www.ihtimam.ae or @IhtimamUAE on Twitter.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
