The Ministry of Works (MoW), in partnership with the eGovernment Authority, recently launched the ‘Abnormal Load Permission’ eService on the eGovernment National Portal, (www.bahrain.bh).
The eService allows businessmen to apply for abnormal load permissions for trucks and other heavy vehicles online with ease and convenience, needing only to complete an electronic form which contains details such as the desired route and load and carrier details. After completing the form and sending it back to the MoW, the system will automatically notify customers whenever there is a change in the status of their application and alert them to collect the permission letter once approval is granted.
Mr. Hesham Sater, Director of Information Technology at the MoW, said that the Ministry’s eServices have witnessed a steady increase in usage and customer satisfaction since the launch of the first one 2008. “The Ministry receives a large number of applications for this eService specifically, so we decided to offer it online as we endeavor to serve our customers better and more efficiently.”
With this latest offering, the MoW’s number of eServices on the National Portal is now five, having already launched: Sanitary Complaints, Sanitary House Connections Requests, Materials Testing Results (QC), and Building Maintenance Requests. More eServices are in various stages of planning or execution, and are scheduled for announcement in due course.
The eGovernment National Portal has grown to include approximately 90 eServices which provide an alternative channel for individuals, businesses, government, and visitors to benefit from various government services. The portal is one of four channels (National Portal, Mobile Portal, Common Service Centers, and National Call Center) stipulated by the national eGovernment strategy which will allow around-the-clock access these convenient services to everyone wherever they may be.
About eGovernment Authority Bahrain
The eGovernment Authority (eGA) was established by Royal Decree 69 in August 2007. Reporting to the Cabinet, the eGA aims to coordinate and execute e-government initiatives in line with the strategies, plans, and programs set by the Supreme Council for Information Communication Technology (SCICT), headed by HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The eGA’s role entails everything from proposing overall policies and appropriate legislations to the SCICT for approval to overseeing the execution of the approved SCICT programs. This includes suggesting required IT programs, facilitating communications and services between all government entities, opening new e-channels for e-government services, and offering technical and knowledge-based support to the ministries and other government entities.
Currently, the eGA is working on executing the plans contained within Bahrain’s e-government strategy to achieve the ambitious Bahraini e-initiatives, as well as offering 200 basic governmental services electronically via various communication channels within 3 years to all citizens, residents, and businesses of Bahrain.
