MANAMA: eGovernment Authority (eGA) eService Delivery and Channel Enhancement Director Ahmed Buhazza announced that eGA has adopted a group of innovative ideas by developing applications which can be utilized through smartphones, given by participants during the ‘Government App Star’ competition recently launched by the authority for the public sector employees.
This came during the honoring ceremony held by eGA for the seven winners of the top rankings out of 139 participants, honored by Buhazza in the presence of the eService Delivery and Channel Enhancement team.
Each winner received gift vouchers from Bahrain City Center in appreciation for their efforts. Winners include Aqeela Salman Abu Idriss for the concept ‘Blood Bank App’, Sayed Jaafar Mahfooz Mohsein Alawi for his ‘Electricity & Water Meter Reading App’, Sarah Tareq Sayed for her ‘Bahrain Transportation App’, Yusuf Salah Buali for ‘Smart Alarm App’, Yasser Salem Salama Suleiman for ‘Bahrain Medicine or Analysis App’, Hamed Mohammed Abu Fath for ‘Bahrain Business Explorer’, and Mohammed Yusuf Hasan for ‘Review & Payment of LMRA Fees’.
Buhazza congratulated the winners and stated that this competition is directed to public sector employees so as to encourage and promote a culture of innovation in the government service delivery. Public sector employees took part at the contest by giving their feedback and comments to develop Smartphone applications for the benefit of the Bahraini nationals, expatriates and visitors. The authority has launched new government eServices in Smartphone applications on a yearly basis in line with the objectives of the National eGovernment Strategy 2016.
The director also announced that this competition is the first initiative of its kind. It has attracted significant interest and received over 139 entries, along with suggestions and projects to develop new and innovative ideas. eGA has adopted some excellent proposals to be developed and transformed into applications which can be launched soon.
The first winner, Aqeela Idriss, said that ‘Blood Bank App’ is designed to offer a database available all round the clock, seven days a week to include details of blood donors, time and manner of communication. Database would be regularly updated.
Second prize winner, Sayed Alawi, explained that his ‘Electricity & Water Meter App’ ensures that the correct reading of water and electricity meter is completed properly – not registered or scanned by estimation.
Sarah Tarek Al-Sayed, third prize winner of the ‘Bahrain Transportation App’, commented that the app aims to facilitate the movement of public transportation throughout the Kingdom; with a display of options and bus timings.
Yusuf Salah Buali of ‘Smart Alarm App’, the fourth winner, said that his concept is connected with the eKey System, works as a reminder for timings and notices intended for the user’s governmental procedures.
Yasser Salem Salama Suleiman of ‘Bahrain Medicine or Analysis App’, explained that his concept is a database that includes all the names and details of hospitals, public and private health centers. It also provides tips on first aid and allows appointment bookings and reminders.
Hamed Mohamed Abu Fath, sixth place winner of ‘Bahrain Business Explorer’, stated that the application allows users to locate companies and stores as well as directions to reach them with the assistance of a satellite navigation system.
Seventh place winner Mohamed Yusuf Hasan and owner of the ‘Review & Payment of LMRA Fees’ app said that his application allows businesses to pay fees for LMRA with the display of all relevant information in relation to the transactions between the eGA and businesses.
The competition ‘Government App Star’ was launched between October 31st, 2013 and November 30th, 2013; with eGA’s core focus on developing a new generation of government services intended for customers. The services, which respond to citizens’ needs and concerns, go in line with the objectives of the National eGovernment Strategy 2016 which aim at developing government services with a new concept based on innovation and partnership with relevant stakeholders through eParticipation and interaction with open data.