RIYADH: Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, director general of the Passport Department, on Sunday inaugurated the outlet for drive-in services for the handicapped at Riyadh Passport Office (RPO).

Following the inauguration, which was attended by top officials of both the PD and RPO, Al-Yahya toured the headquarters of RPO to see those areas which serve citizens and residents as well.

During the tour, Al-Yahya met many citizens and listened to their remarks, complaints and suggestions. He ordered some of the problems to be solved on spot, and asked all who have suggestions or unsolved complaints not to hesitate to approach him in person or via e-mail, social media, and ordinary mail letters.

Speaking to journalists, Gen. Sulaiman Al-Suhaibani of the RPO, said: “People with disabilities are our brothers and a important segment of our society and we should take care of them. This is according to the teachings of our great religion of Islam, and orders of our leadership, in particular Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, to make all citizens and residents happy by providing them the best services we can.

“This drive-in outlet for the disabled is the first-of-its-kind in the Kingdom and was set up with direct supervision from Gen. Al-Yahya. I hope other passport offices follow suit in setting up similar outlets to serve this segment of our society.

“The outlet is still in its pilot stage and we will see how it works and to what extent people with disabilities can benefit from it. Once it proves to be totally successful, similar outlets will gradually be set up in other passport offices around the Kingdom.”

Al-Suhaibani said that this outlet is part of the overall efforts by the government to make its public serving premises accessible by persons with disabilities. “The outlet for the handicapped here is was designed to service the disabled while they are in their vehicles. They just go into the drive-way and stop next to the serving window. Then well-trained and qualified personnel, provided with modern office equipment, will be at their services,” he said.

He mentioned that this new outlet will complement online services provided to all citizens and residents, including those with disabilities.

“Sometimes people with disabilities need to be present in person, so we set up this outlet to provide them with services as hassle-free as possible,” he pointed out.