Unbundling of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), has commenced in essence as one of the oldest institutions in the country launched deeper into the Agency Banking system with the introduction of its platform on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
Performing the unveiling in Abuja, Prof. Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, also introduced NIPOST Debit Card and Commissioned NIPOST/Speedaf trucks to enhance mail and cargo/e-commerce and logistics services across the nooks and crannies of the country.
In his speech on ‘The Role of Financial Services and Logistics in Postal Services in the 4IR’, said the NIPOST Debit Card remains the first of its kind in the history of postal service in the country.
“It is a card embedded with unique features, such as the NIN or BVN, Biometrics, Address Verification and Geo fencing etc. It is designed to serve multiple purposes such as conditional cash transfer wallet, electronic money orders, e-Naira wallet, Micro Pension Agent wallet, Bank account, Bills payments etc.
“With the deployment of agency banking, NIPOST counters will handle more IFS transactions with more Universal Postal Union member countries, and also the payment services on REMITA. This increased capacity in financial services is not only a welcome boost in its corporate image, but also its income”.
The Minister said it was gratifying to note that the brand new trucks (27 in number) also launched, were acquired through Public Private Partnership (PPP) between NIPOST and Speedad Nigeria Limited.
“There exists huge potential and excess capacity in the private courier ecosystem, which incidentally is under NIPOST regulation. Such private but excess asset and capacity could be collaboratively annexed to the service of Nigerians.
“There is no doubt, that these trucks will go a long way in assisting NIPOST in its drive towards efficient mail and cargo distribution and delivery.
“It is worthy to note that NIPOST Management despite some obvious constraints has been unrelenting in its efforts to improve both its operations and quality of services through internally generated revenue. There, however, is still much work to be done especially in the area of service delivery.
“In the communications market, our efforts should be geared towards improving on the existing products and services and developing new ones aimed at meeting the demands of the customers. To achieve this, we must continue to incorporate new technologies into the Postal operations to reduce cost to the citizens and, at the same time improve on the service delivery and increase efficiency. There is no doubt, that Technology has revolutionized the Communications Industry and as a result offers a lot of challenges and opportunities to the Postal Sector.
Pantami also restated Government’s full support for the growth and development of the Postal Services in Nigeria adding that Postal Service is a key institution in every country today.
“It plays a significant role in promoting the development of technologies and technological outputs such as the NIPOST Debit card we are launching today and reduces the socio-political and economic isolation of our peoples. It eases business struggle and connects small and medium scale enterprises in urban and remote areas with their customers within and across national borders.
“Today, as we remain resolute to bring about unprecedented changes into the postal services. It is my hope that Nigerians, especially rural dwellers, would leverage on the opportunities presented by this to improve their socio-economic wellbeing”, the Minister said.
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