Minister laments NIPOST’s low level investments, other challenges

By Adedeji Adeyemi Fakorede

Minister of Communications Barrister Adebayo Shittu has lamented the myriad of challenges facing the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) including inefficient management structure and low level of investment, especially in ICT.

Shittu made the remark at the inauguration of Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi as new postmaster general and CEO of NIPOST, adding that vast but obsolete infrastructure and facilities; poorly motivated workforce particularly the junior staff, and unredeemed pension payments; occasional loss and violation of mail items and intense competition from alternative courier service providers; unenviable public image, as well as a dysfunctional internal system, as critical factors the new management must address in collaboration with the Ministry.

The Minister acknowledged that these foregoing challenges make reform urgent and inevitable to deliver on the promises for a new and efficient NIPOST; “in order to restore the public confidence in the country’s postal system as well as ensure that NIPOST delivers on its statutory obligations.

“By working closely with the new management of NIPOST- which will be further restructured in the coming days- the ongoing reform activities by the Ministry of Communications will ensure that postal services are available to all citizens of the country no matter where they are at affordable cost and in a timely and efficient manner.

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In addition to create an enabling and competitive environment where independent regulation will thrive and also allow for broadening the scope and depth of services, including productive financial services as agent banking, savings mobilization, payment and funds transfer system for the entire country through the vast and expanded postal network, in well over 2,500 locations across the country”.

He added that the Federal Government intends to align the postal sector with global developments in information and communication technology and electronic commerce; clearly institutionalizing commercial practices in the sector in collaboration with private and institutional investors.

Shittu further intimated the new PMG with the approved policy thrust of the present administration for the advancement of NIPOST to include “The Ministry of Communications will be responsible for policy formulation while sector regulation will be undertaken by the proposed National Postal Commission (NPC). Public postal operations will be handled by NIPOST.

“The designation of NIPOST as the Public Postal Operator is to fulfill the Universal Service Obligation (USO) of Nigeria, by maintaining and extending a nation-wide postal network and for the provision of affordable and reliable quality public interest services such as basic financial services, IT services and government services.

“The establishment of a Universal Postal Services Board with the important function of making appropriate recommendations to the government on Universal Postal Services development policies”.

He added that these key provisions for the Postal Sector Policy have been incorporated in the harmonized Information Communication Technology (ICT) Sector Strategy Plan 2016-2020 which was produced by the Federal Ministry of Communications.