Nigeria - New postal system underway

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A new postal system approved by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU), is to become operational in Nigeria this month.

NEXT gathered yesterday (Wednesday) in Abuja that the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) is already planning a training programme for about 60 postal officers drawn from different postal administrations in Africa, with a view to updating their skills for the new Terminal Dues and Inward Land Rate System.

Upgrading skills

Hussaina Ato, NIPOST's spokesperson, said yesterday that the training, which is billed for next month, is aimed at imparting skills necessary to help understand the new procedures in determining the new rates as well as ensure that PAPU member-states do not lose vital results from the new system.

Besides, the training, which would be handled by officials from the British Royal Mail, French Post and Universal Union, will help participants develop the capacity to handle transactions under the new system, which is considered a major challenge to postal administration in Africa.

Circulation capacity

To enhance NIPOST's mail circulation capacity nationwide during the year, Ibrahim Baba, Postmaster General of the Federation, disclosed that the postal agency is considering requesting from the federal government the lifting of the embargo on the purchase of new vehicles, construction and acquisition of new office buildings until 2011.

He said granting the request would enable NIPOST acquire new mail delivery vans and motorcycles and prepare it for the growing competition in the postal market, pointing out that it is imperative that the agency takes steps to improve its quality of service.

Cost saving

Part of the cost-saving measures to ensure improved quality of service includes partnering with some concerned parties during the year, especially in the development of ICT infrastructure in major post offices nationwide.

To this end, NIPOST has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with some companies that have indicated interest to render various services that would make the Post office a-one-stop-shop.

The companies include Equatel Telecommunications Limited, and Globacom Limited.

Equatel, which specialises in the installation of Public Pay Phones in major post offices across the country, will provide alternative power source in areas that are yet to be connected to the national grid.

NEXT gathered that about 170 post offices across the country have already been fully installed with functional public pay phones.

On its part, Globacom Limited, which is the second national carrier, is to leverage on NIPOST's wide network to reach the rural populace, to offer a wide range of telecoms services, including the sale of recharge cards, SIM replacement and broad access to Internet browsing.

To ensure that postal outlets are not used as conduits for money laundering, drug trafficking, proliferation of arms and ammunition or facilitate terrorism financing, NIPOST says it will liaise with the nation's security agencies to establish their presence in major post offices across the country.

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