The Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) has launched its e-debit card, agency banking platform and 27 cargo delivery vehicles to help improve service delivery across the country.
While performing the launching on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, said no economy could be transformed without digitization, noting that this is in line with the current administration’s target to achieve a digitized economy.
Pantami said a digitized economy would improve ease of doing business, improve transparency and fight corruption.
What the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is saying
Pantami pointed out that the products would help NIPOST key into e-governance and a sustainable digital economy.
The Minister said, “The unveiled products will help NIPOST activities align with e-government and set ease of doing business in motion. Two of the products are digitized and a digitized economy improves transparency and fights corruption.’’
Commenting on the e-debit card, the Minister said, “It is the first of its kind in Nigeria because it works offline and online, and it is the first time that NIPOST comes up with a solution similar to this and it is indeed a multipurpose card for financial transaction, conditional cash transfer, payment of bills and many more.
“This is commendable and in alignment with our digital economy for achieving a digital Nigeria. Our target in this country by 2030 is to be completely digitalised.”
On the NIPOST Banking Platform, the minister said, “It is another innovative solution that will make our banking system much easier, and this is also in alignment with our proposal to come up with a NIPOST Micro Finance Bank.
“So, this is just like a pilot program of another subsidiary of NIPOST that will come up soon, that is the NIPOST Micro Finance Bank in which we are to leverage on the existing infrastructure of NIPOST and make sure that our citizens all over the country as long as they have access to the post office, they will be able to conduct their financial transactions.
“The third to be commissioned today is the NIPOST Logistics Vehicles; this is also commendable, as the Postmaster-General informed us, that initially, mails comprised 90 per cent of NIPOST activities, while cargo comprised not more than 10 per cent.
“But as it is today, the reverse is the case, 10 per cent became the 90 per cent while the 90 per cent became 10 per cent. Email, WhatsApp and other means of communication have displaced letter writing, it becomes difficult for you to sit down and write a letter.’’
What the Post Master General of NIPOST is saying
The Post Master General of NIPOST, Dr Ismail Adewusi, in his welcome address, stated that the occasion marked another opportunity to position the agency’s services in accord with global standards.
He said, “Upon my resumption two years ago, I met with the management and we made a serious appraisal of the post.
“The appraisal included, among others, tinkering with the operating structure and re-introducing states’ territorial management structure, under the direct supervision of coordinating directors.
“This is, however, all geared towards reducing operating costs, increasing the revenue base and rejuvenating the system, with a view to restoring public confidence.’’
What you should know
NIPOST has in recent times undergone some transformation in order to improve its service delivery and cope with competition.
The 27 logistics vehicles were commissioned, in partnership with Speedaf Express, an international logistics company, expected to cater for e-commerce and speedy delivery of logistics all over the country.
The recently launched NIPOST debit card is geared towards reaching the unbanked population, residing in remote areas. The card relies heavily on biometric information of the user like fingerprint, which means it can work both online and offline.
The banking platform, which is POS (point of sale) based, is a multi-teller banking system and all products and services are in line with Universal postal services standards and are available in all NIPOST offices nationwide.
