The new Cabinet has been sworn in and each government department knows the name of the man who will run its show for the next four years. The time has now come for the ministers to discover what the public wants from them.

The first thing we want from them — especially those in charge of service departments — is that they refrain from making impressive flowery statements and talking to the media about what they hope to achieve. People will soon see that these are no more than empty statements and that the promised achievements will never happen. It is thus advisable that the ministers think twice before making promises and should only give statements when they are sure they can match words with deeds. We want to see ministers steering their departments away from the bureaucracy and red tape that is biting great chunks out of the efficiency of the civil service. Employees who have spent years resisting all attempts to change and improve their performance should be looked at with a most critical eye.

The ministries should give their staff extensive training in how to deal with the public. Dealing with the public is an art appreciated only by those who fully understand what is required of them.

We want the ministers to find practical solutions to problems and win public confidence by working for public welfare and being serious about addressing the needs of the people. In most parts of the country, people are not chasing luxuries but rather want basic services such as water, electricity, decent roads and the like.

Newspapers continue to publish countless demands by villages and others in the countryside, appealing to officials to provide them with basic services that are far less than what is expected in cities and towns. Ever since I was a child I have been familiar with these demands — and the lack of action — and I am afraid that the familiarity — and the lack of action — will be equally well known to my children and grandchildren.

Many countries of the world have long since passed the stage of people addressing officials through the media to convey their demands for basic services. The media long ago stopped doing such things in those countries and instead now have the luxury of providing the public with useful and educational information.

Arab News From the Local Press 6 May 2003