Tough new efficiency measures for KRG government offices; more to come: Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday announced new, strict measures enacted by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to improve the efficiency of some of its government offices.

Barzani’s statement came in a press conference about the KRG’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) receiving a certificate of compliance from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world's largest developer of voluntary international standards.

To retain the certification, the MOI must continue to adhere to a broad range of operating procedures mandated by the ISO.

Such programs are aimed at providing the public with better and more cost-effective services which, if successful, could be a welcome change for many in a region infamous for its mind-numbing bureaucracy.

“We are aware of the troubles of the public who, in most cases, have to go through ten rooms [in a department], still unsure whether or not they are finished with their paperwork," said Barzani. "Never mind the amount of time and resources wasted; this can’t be allowed to continue.”

He stressed that “the main objective of the governmental ministries,” from “the smallest to the largest department” in the region, is “the elimination of routines and the speeding up paperwork to use fewer resources and achieve higher quality.”

He pointed out that both the Department of Tourism and Traffic Police in Duhok Province had already received similar certifications, in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and that their use would expand to other government offices.

Barzani also highlighted the necessity of administrative officers to "be merry and facilitate the tasks of citizens,” putting particular emphasis on the importance of exemplary behavior by officers working in Border Control offices toward visitors to the Kurdistan Region.

“The public must be able to do their administrative work online using personal computers,” Barzani said, adding, “We will work with Kurdistan’s parliament to review the law and the instructions to utilize technology in management.”

Using the Office of Duhok’s Traffic Police as an example, he pointed out, “Drivers can renew their vehicle’s licenses online and don’t have to wait a few days while working on it.”

“Kurdistan has an abundance of human capital,” Barzani declared and said that such a resource could be used to build a greater skyline and better roads, as long as there is an “efficient managerial foundation.”

He also showed his staunch support for any steps taken to root out corruption in all administrative offices and stressed the importance of teamwork and attributing successes to all working within the system.

Editing by John J. Catherine