14 September  ‘99:  Quality Service Charter for upgraded Government Information Service

"At the time the Department of Information launched its Government Information Service in August 1993, the Section used to receive about 80 calls a day. The number of calls has today increased to 500 calls daily. In order to cater for this increase in demand, the section has installed more sophisticated computer equipment." This was announced by Mr Emanuel Abela, Director of Information during the presentation of the Quality Service Charter which was attended by the Prime Minister, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, the Dr  Austin Gatt, Minister of Justice and Local Government and Head of the Public Service, Mr Joseph R. Grima.

Mr Abela stated that "this is a freephone service offered tot he public by the Department of Information. Thanks to this service, the public may phone, free of charge, on telephone number 153 and request information on Ministries, Departments and services offered by the Government."

In his address, Dr Gatt stated that "the Quality Service Charter being implemented by the Government Information Service goes in line with the public service's commitment to give its best possible service to its customers. In fact, through this Charter, the section is committing itself to enhance its efficiency in order to service the large amount of customers in a most effective way. He stated that the Government Information Service Section is equipped with a computerised system operated by well-trained personnel who answer all your queries promptly and courteously."

Speaking at the launch the Prime Minister stated that. "the Quality Service Charters are aimed at determining a service culture, where public entities provide an efficient service, provide easy access to services and establish a deadline when the services should be provided." He added that "it makes sense that the Government implements a Quality Service Charter at the Government Information Service, due to the fact that this service was established to provide immediate information about the Government to the public.