The Ministry of Works launched its new website in a celebratory launch ceremony at Crown Plaza Hotel on 31st July 2008.  The website www.works.gov.bh reflects the new image of the Ministry following the division of the Ministry of Works & Housing into two separate entities last year.  It is designed to be informative and interactive, providing online services to the public and stakeholders in an innovative manner.

The website launch was attended by top management and senior staff from various directorates at the Ministry and celebrates the ministry’s progression towards becoming a leading professional organization. The website will be continuously enhanced with up-to-date information and new functions in line with the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to provide high quality services.

Effat Ridha Hussain, Assist. Undersecretary for Technical Services, Ministry of Works, noted that the new website is a part of the Ministry’s aim to be socially responsible and to use best practices and innovative technology to achieve its goals. “The Ministry has always said its goal is to be a leader in its field and initiatives like these that carry it forward towards this objective. I hope that all our stakeholders – our partners, other government ministry’s and the general public – will find this website both valuable and useful.”

The website currently provides information about the Ministry’s directorates and projects, for example, the status of all road works projects can now be tracked online. Public announcements, publications, and information on other aspects of the Ministry’s work are all available.

A dedicated tenders page lists current advertised tenders and related information, such as Ministry of Works Building Specifications and Prequalification Application requirements.  There is also a link to the Tender Board website where additional tender related information can be found. The Ministry’s website also offers a “Locate Us” section that details the locations of Ministry buildings and directorates, guiding users to the relevant directorates for their enquiries.

In addition, the website offers portals that link to e-government website where Ministry forms can be downloaded and e-services can be processed in a timely and effective way. E-services currently available online include maintenance work requests and sewer connection applications. Other e-services, such as roads maintenance requests, are planned for the future.

The Ministry of Works website uses state-of-the-art technology and was developed by the Information Technology Directorate with the help of other Ministry directorates. The Ministry has an ambitious plan to make the website fully interactive and provide all necessary services for the public and other stakeholders.

Hisham Sater, Director of the Information Technology Directorate at the Ministry, commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the directorates who helped in completing this project. As a result of these fruitful efforts, we now we have a comprehensive website that brings us closer to our stakeholders.