Utility service providers getting active

A few years ago it would have taken quite some time to catch an officer on leave but now in the age of mobile phones it was quite easy to contact them. Government took an initiative a few years ago to equip all the field level officers of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka Wasa, DESA and other utility services.

"I am using a mobile phone for the last three months. I think using a mobile phone is essential while I am on duty. It makes the job dynamic and makes me more accountable," said officer-in-charge of a police station in the city.

Walkie talkies are used by police officials but mobile phone is more helpful, he said. "It gives me easy access when I am outside the reach of land phone or when I am on leave. It helps in immediate response."

Wasa provided mobile sim cards to its executive engineers and other high officials up to the managing director.

Mahfuzur Rahman, public relations officer of Wasa, said that they have started the use of mobile phones in the 1997s and since then it has improved the quality of services provided by Wasa.

"We have given mobile phones to field level officers working at around twenty different points in the city. We have a ceiling of mobile bills and it varies according to the necessity of different officers," said Rahman.

"Previously we used walkie talkies only but using mobile phones is easier as it has different uses. Walkie talkie was used in a specific channel only but mobile phone has multi purpose. It is easy to carry and deals with emergency situations," he said.

Md Mahiuddin, public relation officer, DESA said that they had provided mobile phone sets with sim cards to superintendent engineers and their equivalent officers.

"After providing them with mobile phones we can contact them 24 hours a day and it has improved the quality of our services," he said.