Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Directives have been issued by higher authorities to all state departments, including ministries and government authorities, on the necessity to respond to any questions or enquiries they receive within 24 hours. The objective is to raise the level of performance efficiency and enhance speed in responding to questions and completing transactions by the government authorities in order to serve the public interest, informed sources told Okaz. The sources further said that these directives have been issued after detecting delays by some government authorities in responding to some queries. As these delays cause further unjustified delays with the enquiring authority not providing the required answers fast. The delays will also have a snowball effect with further delays in the new enquiries or questions posed to them. Furthermore, these are not in conformity with the directives of the leadership to work on raising the level of performance efficiency and accomplishing work at a faster tempo. The sources added that the response can be within 48 hours if the authority has the information. If the subject has to be studied, the response can be within a week. If the matter requires more time, then the required time must be specified and conveyed to the higher authorities, along with mentioning the justifications. The directives include making it compulsory for each authority to have a main liaison officer and an alternative liaison officer with a high sense of responsibility. They should have direct links with the minister or the first in-charge in the authority so as to communicate with him when needed. The higher authorities should be provided with their names, posts and telephone numbers. These data ought to be updated promptly. The directives have stressed that any violation in carrying out these orders ought to be referred to the King so that those responsible for any breach will be held accountable.
