April 15 2011 -- A special unit has been set up to operate a hotline aimed at improving service delivery in various departments.

The office of the vice-president announced yesterday that this special unit is based in the department of administration at National House and that the hotline service will be available from April 20, 2011.

The move follows the announcement by President James Michel in his state-of-the-nation address on February 25, 2011, of the setting up of a hotline for members of the public who wish to report complaints and make suggestions about service in different departments.  "This will be part of government's strategy to foster excellence in its service delivery," the President said in his address.

According to the office of the vice-president, the mandate of the unit is to act as a catalyst in getting public service organisations to respond in a timely manner to public complaints, concerns and suggestions by liaising and networking with government ministries and departments and public agencies to ensure that service to the nation and its citizens remains government's first priority.

"The new unit will deal with complaints, concerns and suggestions related to service delivery expeditiously," says a communique from the office of the vice-president.

Persons wishing to contact the unit should telephone hotline numbers 325666, or 723150.  They may also call the National House telephone number 383033, or send an e-mail to pr@dpa.gov.sc.

The contact public relations officer in the department of public administration is Alise Nourrice.