KUWAIT CITY, Aug 21: The Ministry of Interior has intensified its digital transformation efforts to streamline services and transactions through its "Sahel" government application. Captain Ahmed Al-Nasser from the General Department of Information Systems highlighted the key electronic services now available, leveraging technology to improve community service in both security and administrative aspects.

During an interview on the “Sabah Ishraqat” program on the “Al-Akhbar” channel, Al-Nasser discussed the Ministry's new electronic services, including the introduction of the "Rasid" device for issuing traffic violations. This device is utilized in both patrol and civilian vehicles operated by traffic detectives.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant push towards digital transformation. Al-Nasser noted that this shift has eased the congestion of citizens and residents at various Ministry departments, allowing transactions to be completed remotely. This development is particularly beneficial given the high temperatures, enabling users to manage their tasks from home or work.

Key features of the 'Sahel' app:

1. Traffic sector services:
   • Renew driving licenses and vehicle licenses.
   • A new feature for transferring vehicle ownership through the app will be launched soon. This process involves creating a request number, receiving notifications for approval, purchasing insurance, and paying transfer fees.
2. Residency, nationality, and passport services:
   • Issue certified copies of passports for use abroad, eliminating the need to carry the original passport.
   • Obtain emergency travel documents for citizens who lose their passports while abroad, allowing them to return home without visiting an embassy.
   • Access services for nationality, such as obtaining certificates of basic data, family data, and name modifications.

Clarification on identification numbers:

Al-Nasser addressed common queries about the differences between civil and unified numbers. The civil number is assigned to Kuwaiti citizens, while the unified number is used for expatriates with entry visas. Each resident in Kuwait has both numbers: the civil number from the Public Authority of Civil Information and the unified number from the Ministry of Interior.

Addressing application errors and challenges:

Regarding feedback on the "Sahel" application, Al-Nasser acknowledged that human errors, such as incorrect data entry, can lead to notifications being sent to incorrect individuals. For instance, if a traffic violation notification is mistakenly issued to someone who did not commit the violation, they can resolve the issue by contacting the traffic department for verification and correction.

Al-Nasser also noted challenges related to the connectivity between government agencies and the availability of advance appointments. Appointments are managed by the relevant agencies, which set availability based on their schedules.

Summary of electronic services:

• Issuing traffic violations with "Rasid"
• Renewing driving and vehicle licenses
• Issuing certified passport copies and emergency travel documents
• Nationality services including certificates of basic and family data, and name changes

The Ministry of Interior continues to enhance its digital services to better serve Kuwait’s residents and streamline administrative processes.