DOHA: Filing complaints has never been faster, more convenient and cheaper. Thanks to the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning's new service, peoplw can now file complaints over their iPhone and iPad.
Through this new service, one can send complaints through pictures using their iPad and iPhone to the Ministry. Complaints may range from cleanliness to neglected cars and emergencies. The public can also avail of other services such as rodent and pest control, trimming of trees, sewage problems and emergencies without going to the Ministry headquarters.
This was announced at a press conference held on Wednesday. The press meet was attended by Khalifa Al Anzi, director of information system department; Omar Al Yafi, director of public relations; Hamad Al Rumaihi, chairman of media department and other officials at the Ministry.
The Ministry is the first one which has introduced this kind of service for the public.
Khalaf Ajlan Al Anzi, director of information systems, said the implementation of the service was carried out on the instructions of Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Khalifa Al Thani. The initiative comes as part of using information technology to promote municipal services system, he added.
This programme enables the Ministry to provide effective services at the fastest and most convenient way at the lowest cost, said Al Anzi, adding when someone sends a picture complaint he will receive a SMS confirming the receipt of the complaint by the Ministry. In a pilot project, Al Anzi said that the number of complaints has reached 750 in ten days.
The project will give an opportunity to the people to communicate to all seven municipalities in Qatar and will provide maps to municipality headquarters. To avail of the service one should first register personal data and choose the kind service before sending the complaint through iPhone and iPad. The complaint, then, will be sent to the concerned department in the municipality.
Al Anzi called the public to cooperate with the ministry by using the service which will be successful with the combined efforts of citizens, residents and Ministry staff.
Omar Al Yafi, on his part, said they welcome any feedback or questions on the new service in order to develop application and services to be provided in the second version of the programme to be included in the near future.
To avail of the new service, the user needs the download Apple Store then type 'Baladiya' in the search box, then download the application to the iPhone. The registration process includes personal data, user name, ID card number, and mobile number then press Enter. The user will immediately receive SMS including the registration number which will allow access to the site and activate the services.
© The Peninsula 2011
