Dubai - The campaign was launched in a bid to complete the smart transformation goals by 2021.
Published: Sat 20 Oct 2018, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Sun 21 Oct 2018, 5:32 PM
A total of 100 service centres of 40 government entities offering 1,100 services will be non-operational for a week starting October 21. All these services will have to be accessed online.
The campaign was launched in a bid to complete the smart transformation goals by 2021. This year's campaign will end on October 25. According to the Dubai Media Office, the Dubai Government's Department of Finance (DOF) is leading a vast cross-government campaign to promote building the culture of smart transformation to online channels in delivering government services.
Dubai will witness a full transformation of government services into smart channels, through the 'Week without Service Centres' initiative. The campaign was launched last year for one day, after being approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Several Dubai residents have hailed the initiative and said the campaign has a plethora of benefits including reduction in traffic congestion, savings in time and money, energy conservation, and much more.
During this week, 100 service centres of 40 entities - a few of which are semi-government and private entities - will be fully transforming the delivery of 1,100 services.
However, during its first year, the initiative managed to achieve a leap in government revenues via internet-based smart channels, amounting to 30 per cent on the day of the initiative, October 26, 2017.
About 31,000 smart government transactions were completed for an amount of Dh55m, compared to Dh42.2 million for transactions completed the preceding day. Some of the participating entities are Awqaf and Minor Affairs Foundation, Bait Al Khair Society, Community Development Authority, Dafza, Dar Alber Society, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Airports, Dubai Civil Defense, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Service, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Jafza, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Legal Affairs Department, Road and Transport Authority, Smart Dubai and much more.
Residents hail 'No service centre week'
Dubai-residents have called the idea 'an excelled one'. Aparna Nair, a design consultant working in Garhoud, said: "It is an excellent idea, and I think it makes great sense. Sometimes, language is a barrier at service centres. However, when the service is online, I do not need to worry about these things. I can access services from the comfort of my home."
Another resident Marvin Balita, a fitness instructor said: "I usually use the online portals for services provided by the Rods and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). So, it is a process I am already familiar with. But when it is done in a larger scale, it is really good because there are always queues outside of certain government service centres. Now, people will be encouraged to learn how to operate for services online."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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