Dubai: Those who are unwilling to proceed with the UAE’s development march will be given a farewell party, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, told the Mobile Government Forum on Wednesday, attended by UAE ministers and top government officials.
“Today we are launching a new era and we should all cooperate and work hand in hand to achieve this target,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
“We are looking for a mobile government that operates round the clock. I want my government to be a one-stop shop where everything can be done easily.”
He added that there are no difficulties in transforming from eGovernment to mGovernment since the UAE people have succeeded in the first phase of transformation from classical government to electronic government.
Going back 13 years, when the first eGovernment initiative was launched in 2000, Shaikh Mohammad recalled how a number of people were unwilling to adapt to this transformation, preferring to depend on the traditional way of communication and services.
“When I discussed the idea of transformation to eGovernment in front of the government officials and prominent UAE figures at one of the hotels in Jumeirah, some of the Emiratis refused the new concept saying that they want to achieve all their needs in person.”
“When I found them a bit hesitant and reluctant to go with this change I gave them a promise that those who will not adapt to this transformation within a year will be given a farewell party,” Shaikh Mohammad added.
Pointing to the gradual transformation into eGovernment where the penetration of technology is quite remarkable in the UAE, he added: “Decades ago, there used to be one computer device in each government organisation. Then the number increased to one computer on each floor for every organisation, while today it is available on every desk in government offices.”
Shaikh Mohammad said that the government’s ultimate aim is to meet the needs of the people. “Our main target is to make our citizens content. However, we can’t do this without taking serious steps forward as well as to develop initiatives to empower them and serve their interests.”
“Everyone should realise that the time is changing and those who can’t adapt to this change will not be able to achieve their targets.”
Essential tool
Giving an example of how technology is an essential part of everyone’s life, Shaikh Mohammad said: “Most of you today have two mobile phones and can’t be detached from them for even two days.”
He called on everyone to adapt to the drastic changes in technology.
“While we used caravans as the main mode of transportation in the UAE ages ago, today it is impossible to use them while we have the latest [transportation] technology in the form of the Metro.”
According to Shaikh Mohammad, “there is no alternative to being number one. UAE leaders and citizens should continue to seek to be number one because nothing matters after number one.”
“Being in first place is not similar to being in second or third place, where you will be following others,” he said.
