JEDDAH: The Ministry of Interior is to introduce a new service by which people, both Saudis and expatriates, will be informed of traffic fines and sent SMS text messages that their ID documents or resident permits need renewal.
The National Center for Information at the Ministry of Interior is in the process of installing a special program that will track changes and required updates in people's files in coordination with other departments at the ministry.
The service will initially be available in English and Arabic and then be offered in other languages. It will also inform people when their national IDs are ready for delivery, and send reminders that the expiration dates of their driving licenses, passports and Iqamas are close.
Members of the public will also be able to notify concerned government departments of changes in their addresses and loss of documents by way of the new system.
"The service will be helpful to citizens and expatriates. For instance, delays in the renewal of personal details can result in the freezing of a person's bank account. They would be able to avoid this and plan ahead. It will also spare people paying late fees and fines for certain things," said a source at the Civil Status Department in Yanbu.
By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI
© Arab News 2010
