Complications regarding routine matters [Archives:2008/1139/Community]
By: Shafeek Al-Homaidi
[email protected]
This pertains to the public disapproval of the jobs our ministry employees do in such a way that it's of no avail. Widespread pessimism toward most government offices results from the fact that they neither produce the results nor the proper treatment for which we all hope. I have adopted this same impression regarding routine procedures and ill treatment by Yemeni government bodies toward our citizens and foreigners in general. My Emirati friend handed me an urgent task of getting of his papers signed (a marriage contract, university certification, etc.) by various ministry offices. So during the next week, I visited numerous official ministries to obtain legal approval and get my friend's documents signed and sealed. In truth, it's not easy to get documents legalized or signed by any official office.
They can take months to get things done if one doesn't pay the sum they demand in order to perform these tasks. Who really should take the blame for this? I'm blaming those with small offices and those lower down on the job ladder, as well as the top official responsible at any ministry because they all distort the true image of ministries, in particular, and the Yemeni people in general.
People will wait long hours for any type of credit document to be done properly. I keep wondering if it's just a matter of money and how much one pays to get their documents served up on a platter as fast as needed. Without exaggeration, one must pay for every single legal signature and seal. Routine and monotonous procedures take place in an inappropriate manner in our government foundations as they've become like selling and buying.
Nothing in this country is free, not even obtaining our own rights or performing required duties. What has brought us to this point of such types of treatment are blackmail and greed for bribes, which have corrupted our lives. What's more is that those employees who receive and handle our credential papers and run our affairs do such malpractice openly and in an unconcealed manner, totally unafraid of censor. Comparing Yemen's government institutions to any other country, I'm completely dismayed to discover such a large gap. Imagine a country free of such negative vices as bribery, corruption, etc., and how they enjoy fairness, productivity and peace of mind. In such countries, commercial, education and other documents or personal matters arrive at the doorstep on time and without continually following them up.
However, in Yemen, one must camp outside the door for weeks in order to obtain their legal rights. Personal concerns are never attained at the first location or at the first time, thus setting one on the wrong track in terms of value for money. Even if one is empty-headed, if he dresses well and fills his pockets with sufficient cash, he'll undoubtedly be welcomed warmly to whatever he wishes – even by those guarding the gates – and his concerns will be handled immediately.
Chaos and mess are significant in our nation due to not abiding by laws or regulations. People feel that everyone assumes his own rule and then imposes it in his favor, regardless of the effect upon public interest. In view of such blackmail, the motivation to attain higher positions and serve the nation is high. However, the aim shouldn't be to go elsewhere in the world, but rather to obtain one's necessary requirements and rights easily and on time in our own Yemeni society.
While I think it's good to do what's right and serve our country, the top brass should strain themselves regarding our rights and meet our societal challenges. In my opinion, the major conflicts in the world aren't political, economic or diplomatic; rather, the real conflict involves social issues. To sum it up, don't consider me with a pessimistic view or place me with the losers, as such massive malpractice in our society influences anyone's decisions.
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[archive-e:1139-v:18-y:2008-d:2008-03-20-p:community]
