KUWAIT: Being theprime means of social media in Kuwait, WhatsApp has become a growinglysignificant tool used by ministries and state agencies to receive citizens'complaints and suggestions. Targeting the largest possible number of people,some Kuwaiti ministries tap this effective technology by means of sending andreceiving instant messages encompassing texts, photos, videos and recordings.WhatsApp Web is even applied by several state departments as a quick and easyway to use WhatsApp messages on computers, with on-duty staff receiving queriesand giving immediate replies.
Speaking aboutthis impressive technology, senior officials of public relations and media atseveral ministries and state bodies said that the mounting use of WhatsAppservice is undoubtedly a source of pride to them. The Interior Ministry's Mediaand Public Relations Manager Nasser Busleib said that the ministry usesWhatsApp as an effective type of communication between its various units andcitizens. The ministry has got specialized and efficient staff working roundthe clock to get complaints and proposals from citizens and residents, andreply to them at once, Busleib boasted. However, the official urged people toavert using WhatsApp services while driving, otherwise they would be brought tobook.
Effective tool
KuwaitMunicipality's Public Relations and Media Manager Mohammad Al-Mutairi saidWhatsApp is, in fact, an appropriate and effective tool of social communicationthat helps in setting locations, receiving grievances and remarks andaddressing them immediately. However, he lamented that WhatsApp provides asignificant, but limited, service in general while other tools like Twitter andInstagram, for instance, are more useful and valuable. Meanwhile, the Ministryof Electricity and Water's Social Media Chief Khadeeja Meshari said there hasbeen a wide-scale application of this technological service since it wasinitially launched at the ministry's various departments.
She acclaimed theuse of WhatsApp at state agencies as an impressive type of social communicationthat has become very common in the Kuwaiti society in general. WhatsAppservices have already been put in place at the ministries of interior, socialaffairs, commerce and industry and electricity and water, Public Institutionfor Social Security, Expropriation of Public Welfare Department, PublicAuthority for Minor Affairs. Other authorities and bodies are expected tofollow suit in the near future. - KUNA
