KUWAIT, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- Minister of Social Affairs and Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah said the Central Control Room project for monitoring cooperative societies is a "first step" and a strategic move toward achieving comprehensive automated linkage and ensuring the highest levels of security in this vital sector.
Al-Huwailah made the remarks in a press statement during an inspection visit to the Central Control Room in Abdullah Al-Salem suburb, where she reviewed operations of the automated linkage system for surveillance cameras at cooperative societies.
She said the system reflects close integration and cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and relevant government entities, notably the Ministries of Commerce and Industry and Interior, with the aim of safeguarding strategic stock, enhancing security, and protecting consumers' rights.
The minister noted that the ministry is proceeding under an ambitious plan to expand the system in the future to include branches and malls within cooperative societies, adding that efforts are under way to increase the number of surveillance cameras and intensify monitoring to boost security across cooperative facilities.
She added that this initiative runs in parallel with another track focusing on automated financial and administrative linkage, which she described as a core pillar for strengthening financial and administrative oversight and ensuring efficiency in performance.
For his part, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs and Cooperative Affairs Dr. Sayed Issa said the Central Control Room represents a "qualitative shift" in food security and community oversight and embodies the desired level of governmental integration.
Dr. Issa said the current system enables instant access to reports and direct monitoring through coverage of 191 surveillance points distributed across ration centers and at least 76 cooperative societies, operating on a 24/7 live broadcast system.
He added that the system has storage capacity for recordings for up to four months for reference when needed, noting that the activation of this oversight has directly contributed to curbing negative practices and violations by some employees or visitors, reinforcing discipline and enhancing the sense of security at these vital facilities.
Regarding expansion plans, Dr. Issa said the project aims to cover all cooperative centers, as well as entrances and exits of residential areas, within the monitoring network in the future to ensure comprehensive security and oversight. (end) oys.aa