WORLD POST DAY: NIPOST CELEBRATES WITH STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS

….Lauches 100 Years Compendium Of Nigeria Postage Stamps

…… NIPOST PG says discussion on collaborating with INEC is in progress

Oru Leonard

The Nigerians Postal Agency (NIPOST), joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2020 World Post Day on Friday, October 9, 2020 where launched 100 years compendium of Nigeria Postage Stamps from 1914- 2014.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami unveiled and launched the compendium, said that NIPOST had higher challenges than any other parastatals when he assumed office but that it is in the process of being transformed.

He revealed that three subsidiaries under NIPOST which are— NIPOST Transport and Logistics Company, NIPOST Property and Development Company, and the NIPOST Microfinance Bank, has been approved and reached an advanced stage of unbundling the NIPOST, as two of the companies have been registered. He further said that after the unbundling NIPOST will start the process of automating some of the most important activities in line with the digital economy mandate of the administration.

He also said NIPOST Reform Bill which will separate the Regulator and Operator  is before the National Assembly and asked for support from them in getting the bill through to make NIPOST more effective.

The Minister who expressed hopes that in the next one year there will be tremendous successes in the process of NIPOST transformation.

On stamp duty collection, the Minister noted that the bill was taken to the National Assembly by NIPOST and was endorsed by the Minister of Finance that NIPOST should collect stamp duties but was changed overnight.

“I wrote a letter to Mr. President over five times and I have written a letter to the minister of finance three times as well as the CBN Governor. We will continue to fight for the oppressed. I hate injustice and will always fight for the oppressed. I assure you we will fight for you legally and by following due process. That legal war won’t end until Justice is done”, Pantami said.

Speaking, the Chairman, Senate  Committee on Communication, Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, noted that theme “More than Mail” was apt and that NIPOST should evolve with technological advancement which calls for need to reform the agency’s mode of operation, keep up with the time to ensure quicker and efficient service delivery, and to devise means to have an efficient NIPOST that prioritizes service delivery.

She further said that Senate is committed to providing legislative support where necessary in order to aid NIPOST in contributing to the development of the nation.

The Postmaster General, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi in an interview with journalists said that talks on collaborating with INEC during elections is in the process. Earlier he stated that the World Post Day represents an excellent opportunity for postal authorities in all countries of the world to educate government officials and the public on the important and invaluable contributions which Postal services make in the socio-economic development of nations.

He noted that to underscore that the Post continues to serve as an essential instrument of economic and social development in Nigeria, the Federal Government has embarked on a comprehensive reform of the Postal Sector to make it responsive to customers’ demands through provision of high quality and affordable universal postal service to the citizenry.

According to him, “NIPOST reform program engendered a new vision and mission statement for the organization, which is to provide: “a thriving market-driven organization focusing on innovation” and the commitment “To provide efficient, effective and reliable services with the aid of appropriate technology and a well-motivated workforce”. The reform no doubt has brought positive changes in our operations”.

He listed the measures that have been taken to improve the quality of service delivery to include; Strengthening of Operatives in the Mail Delivery Services, Mail Security and the Fight Against Scam Mail, Quality of Mail Service Test, Introduction of Financial Services in the Post, Revenue, Staff Promotion/Review of Conditions of Service.

He emphasized the commitment of NIPOST Management in ensuring the success of Government’s Reform effort of the Postal Industry, especially the unbundling of the organization into strategic companies which he said, would not only create job opportunities for Nigerians but would equally provide more revenue to the government to enable it carry out its functions effectively.

The celebration which marked the 146th anniversary of the creation of the Universal Postal Union—a specialized agency of the United Nations founded on October 9, 1874, had notable personalities in the private sector among who are The Group Managing Director/CEO of FedEX Express and Red Star Express, Mr Sola Obabori.