CitizensConnect, a mobile application that was launched earlier this year to facilitate complaints about community or public service issues, has already received over 750 reports. This is according to Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally.
During an appearance on the Starting Point Podcast, Minister Ally said his ministry has already resolved 467 of the complaints. He also noted that there is a stringent process in place to ensure complaints are not left languishing in the system.
“Once the issue comes in, it is routed from my ministry to the agency that has to respond to that citizen. Once it’s routed there, we see where it is in terms of response. The citizen also sees where the issue is in terms of being addressed and we keep following up,” said Minister Ally.
He shared that one of the most common issues reported is garbage collection in communities or clogged drains.
Housing issues, he said, also make their way onto the portal.
“People want to know when they’re going to get their house lot. They probably didn’t know that we’re dealing with 2021 applications right now. They would have applied last year and they believe that their application should be dealt with. But when you explain to them, they’re satisfied,” Minister Ally noted.
Overall, the minister said he is pleased that the app is being used, adding that the responses thus far have proven that people are embracing the government’s tech-driven approach to transforming public service delivery.