"Half of these services can be included under the e-government project," said Shaikh Ahmed at the council's weekly session.
"Out of the services, 50 per cent are being offered to individuals, 26pc to the private sector, 20pc to other ministries and government organisations and four per cent are within the same ministry or government organisation."
He said that 167 services would be available at the government's website for citizens and businessmen by 2010.
"A study we carried out shows that 31 services are of high priority to individuals," said Shaikh Ahmed.
"Even though these services represent five per cent of the services offered to individuals, they bring in 50pc of the total revenue of services provided by the government."
He said that there were 26 services to the private sector that have been identified as top priority.
"A total of 41 services are currently being provided through the government's website (www.e.gov.bh) launched last May, but they will increase to 126 services within the coming three years," said Shaikh Ahmed.
"Since the launch of the website, 2.6 million visitors have logged in, with financial transactions being carried out through it exceeding BD1m so far.
"Those transactions include paying electricity and water bills, traffic fines, Bahrain University fees and renewing identification cards.
"We are currently working to have those services completed through three new methods - mobile phones, a call centre and general centres across the country."
Shaikh Ahmed was responding to a question by councillor Rashid Al Sabt on speeding up the e-government project and coming up with solutions to the unavailability of services during public holidays.
"The National Day and Eid Al Adha holidays in December was a rare occasion," said Shaikh Ahmed.
"However, with the e-services we are providing and with the introduction of the three new methods, people can get what they want 24/7."
Mr Al Sabt praised Bahrain for being a pioneer in e-services, however he said that 167 services by 2010 was not enough.
"Out of the 1,370 services, only this many are being offered," he said.
"The minister has also not given us a date as to when those three new methods will be introduced. This is the reason I hope government employees will be told to work during holidays and later compensated.
"We don't want this decision left to the judgement of a minister, who decides when something is an emergency and when it is not.
"The 10 day holiday in December paralysed the country and caused huge disruptions to individuals and businessmen."
Mr Al Sabt said that not everyone was ready to be a part of the e-government, which means that the government should look for other alternatives as well at the moment.
"The only two services, which are going smoothly at the moment, are paying electricity and water bills and traffic fines," he said.
"If the government manages to get half of its services through the e-government, will it mean that half of our employees will be without jobs?
Technology is nothing without an employee and unless someone checks what's going on, e-services will be useless."
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Mohammed Al A'Ali
Quelle/Source: Gulf Daily News, 12.02.2008
