Over the years, at e4all, we have received many creative suggestions and ideas from a number of individuals, each of which could work out to be the basis for a successful partnership between the proposer and the government department. However, many people are reluctant to propose to government departments because of the lack of a clear incentive system and the absence of a mechanism that would produce mutual benefits.
Over the years, at e4all, we have received many creative suggestions and ideas from a number of individuals, each of which could work out to be the basis for a successful partnership between the proposer and the government department. However, many people are reluctant to propose to government departments because of the lack of a clear incentive system and the absence of a mechanism that would produce mutual benefits.
In an article published in e4all last January, we asked for a revision of the proposals system and the establishment of a centralised system in Dubai for receiving ideas and suggestions from the public.
We still remember those shoddy “Complaints and Suggestions” boxes that used to hang on the walls of government departments. Through changes led by the eGovernment in Dubai, these boxes have gradually turned into electronic channels, and have finally integrated into the unified eComplain system. This system fulfils the important need for communication between the Government and the public.However, another equally important aspect still remains lacking among different departments, where individuals can submit their ideas and suggestions to government officials in order to become partners in formulating the public sector policies.
This practice is part of good governance which eliminates barriers and obstacles between the public and decision makers. In order to achieve this, there is a need for a totally non-traditional system where people are engaged and which has a mechanism to receive suggestions and has the capabilities of putting the best ideas into action.
We cannot deny the fact that many government departments in Dubai have their own suggestion systems, but there are obstacles limiting the implementation of a mechanism that allows comprehensive publicinputs in the formulation of government policies leading to decisions in the common interest. This calls for a unified system combining the best elements of each system. However, in order for this system to succeed, there must be a flexible rewarding system that gives valuable incentives to individuals with innovative ideas.
What I am proposing here is at the heart of our work at Dubai eGovernment, which has been entrusted to us by the mastermind of this initiative, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide an infrastructure capable of creating a solid eGovernment, and which can be transferred to others. This is an innovative package of central services for all government departments to benefit from unconditionally. This suggestion will be an addition to the core services we already carry out on behalf of government departments, saving themthe efforts and costs of building their own systems.
To support the credibility and integrity of such an idea, our calculations reveal that government departments in Dubai saved more than AED 94 million between 2000 and 2008 as a result of using four central services, namely mDubai, Ask Dubai, eHosting, and ePay.
Finally, all departments are invited to contribute to this idea and send their views on building such a system.
