NIPOST to become people’s choice in logistics — Postmaster General
…Reels out achievements in two years
…To launch digital post code before 2nd quarter of 2022
By Ogaga Ariemu
The Postmaster General of the Federation (PMG), Dr Ismail Adewusi, has listed numerous steps taken by NIPOST to reposition itself in line with the modern global best practices since resuming office two years ago.
This is coming as the PMG stated that NIPOST will be launching its digital Post Code before end of 2nd quarter, 2022 in a bid to tackle the challenges of National Addressing system.
Also, Adewusi disclosed that the ongoing unbundling of NIPOST will address the challenges of infrastructural decay in its offices across Nigeria.
Speaking at an interactive Session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Adewusi said though the pandemic stalled a comprehensive reforms package he came to NIPOST with, he explained that COVID-19 and its impacts however opened a new world of possibilities which his administration did not waste time to leverage.
The Postmaster-General said the pandemic rather hastened the process of digitalisation of the agency’s processes adding that two years down the line, customers of NIPOST are seeing the changes which have been brought to bear on its operations.
Highlighting some of the initiatives NIPOST had explored to boost business and enhance operations, Adewusi said within the period in review, the African Development Bank (AfDB) partnered with his agency over its agricultural programme with a view to using its facilities.
He said, “The African Development Bank (AFDB) sought partnership with NIPOST to drive agricultural transformation in Africa’s economy with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative.
“The objective is to produce large stocks of marketable products using NIPOST’s warehousing, logistics and financial services. This initiative we, as an organization, seek to explore to contribute to the economic development of the country while also expanding our revenue base.”
Towards more efficient service delivery, he said his agency has embarked on the replacement of old infrastructure with new ones. He cited the instances of new delivery trucks, refurbished postal outlets and acquisition of technology devices to enhance delivery.
He added, that “The quantum leap in e-commerce necessitated drastic measures to cope with the surge in parcels/packet deliveries. NIPOST collaborated with a number of private transporters and logistics companies like Speedaf to ensure seamless deliveries.
“Also, the Nigerian Postal Service, under my supervision, has established its first digital centre in Enugu, which includes computer-based training test (CBT) centre, and other online transaction platforms,” Adewusi said.
He expressed high hopes that the newly passed Postal (Repeal) Bill will further boost NIPOST business opportunities. The NIPOST boss said the Finance Act which has now conferred on the agency a role in stamp administration, the approval of new courier regulatory frameworks are all parts of the new developments which have substantially altered the way NIPOST does business.
He said, “I am very happy to inform you that today, we have a success story to tell, with the approval of a new courier regulation after nineteen (19) years. The last regulation was last reviewed in 2001.
“The new regulation empowers NIPOST to regulate the courier and logistics industry, checkmate the activities of logistics and courier companies in the country. The new regulations would sanitize the logistics ecosystem and put in check the nefarious activities of the criminal-minded operators.
“Another milestone is the passage and signing of the amended Finance Act, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari to give NIPOST a role in the administration of Stamp Duty in Nigeria.
“It is gratifying for us to note that NIPOST (Repeal) Bill was passed by the Senate and House of the Representatives and it is awaiting assent by the President Muhammad Buhari. I am of the great belief that the Bill, when signed, will reposition NIPOST for better service delivery.”
Adewusi also listed collaborations with agencies of the government such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency as part of efforts to ensure NIPOST plays crucial roles in national development and the battle against crime and drugs abuse.
He expressed optimism that things will further look up in the days ahead adding that a solid foundation has already been laid for better service delivery.
He further told Journalists, that COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the Post.
According to him, “60 percent of our business is done with other countries and the lockdown affected the postal sector so much.
On the issue of National Addressing System, Adewusi revealed that the Country will soon witness huge transformation in digital addressing this year.
In his words: “The agency has come up with standard procedure of how addressing should be done. Nigeria will witness rapid transformation in digital addressing this year. Government is digitizing the old analogue post code and before the second quarter of the year, Nigeria will have a full fledged post code system that will address most of the National addressing.”
