The article, “Restructuring complete in 51 ministry departments,” (GDN, September 3) which aims to enhance efficiency, productivity and quality of service, all within budget, fails to address one of the major factors in productivity – that is, all government offices should be moved to one location.
Bahrain is small and it will seriously enhance government services and functions in all areas by moving all government offices to one area. Millions of dinars would be saved and productivity would also be seriously improved.
The current situation of government offices, spread all over Bahrain, is a disaster. When we citizens try to solve problems, be it EWA, municipality, urban planning or tourism, we are forced to drive all over Bahrain. Different government offices are located in areas without suitable parking; and, inevitably, employees are missing, on vacations, sick, or in a meeting, or workshop ... so we have to come back.
Please don’t believe that online will help, and, if online services are done properly, it will still be justified to have all government offices and ministers in one location.
How much does the government spend on rents for all these offices? How much does LMRA pay? They have buildings in Seef, Sehla, Mina Salman Industrial area, Sitra ... four locations! Why? Offices of the Electricity and Water Authority are in five locations? Why? Municipality in five plus locations? Why?
This goes on and on – offices everywhere.
To save millions of dinars, build a centrally located government building, with all ministers there, and their departments – sort of like the Pentagon, US. Even their employees live within the area. The building was built in less than 12 months.
The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, combined their offices into one location – Bahrain Financial Harbour. This makes them one of the most efficient ministries, but they are held back by others that are spread all over Bahrain, such as the municipalities.
Why has Parliament not noticed this problem, why the silence?
Bahrain government services mall, with coffee shops, restaurants and parking... While we are at it, why not change the working hours, 8am to 5pm, with one hour lunch break.
I hope that my suggestion is taken as a positive opinion to enhance Bahrain, though there will be massive opposition to it. That is all the more reason to seriously consider it.
How much monthly rent expenditure will be saved annually?
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