Survey examines public agencies’ adherence to development requirements

AMMAN — Fifty-nine per cent of government departments have scored good and excellent for adhering to the government services development by-law, according to a recent survey.

Meanwhile, 19 per cent scored fair and 22 per cent were deemed as “poor”, Public Sector Development Minister Khleef Al Khawaldeh said, adding that the ministry has referred the results of the survey to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour.

He said the survey is the second to be conducted by the ministry after the 2012 government services development by-law was endorsed, and it examined public agencies’ commitment to rectifying their shortcomings.

Khawaldeh highlighted that the survey covered 67 government departments, citing the ministry’s efforts to provide them with the needed technical and consultative support.

Under the by-law, government departments are required to identify the services they provide and prepare a guidebook outlining all information related to the beneficiaries, required documents and conditions for receiving the services, partners and the time required to provide the service, among other data.

The by-law also obligates state-run entities to develop the quality of their services and mechanisms to deal with complaints, according to Khawaldeh, who noted that the ministry is currently working on identifying the number of services provided to citizens to include them in guidebooks.

He underlined the importance of the by-law in improving transparency and ensuring that services are in line with people’s needs.