Argungu and the Revolution in NIPOST

By

Emeka Oraetoka

oramekllis@lycos.com

With the advent of internet, many Nigerians including this writer, believed that it was only a matter of time before Nigerian postal services (NIPOST) packs up for good. The reason behind this thinking was not far fetched, with internet, electronic mail, known as e-mail was to effectively consigned the traditional postal mail service to the thrash can of history. In postal service, one can mail a letter from say Lagos to Abuja, it could take up to 2 weeks before it gets to its destination. In most cases, the intention of this letter may have been defeated before it gets to the recipient. With e-mail postal services, one can draft a letter online, mail it there and then, it will not only get to the recipient time, the would be recipient can also reply on-line immediately he gets receipt of the mail. In a nutshell, e-mail offered great advantages over Postal services, probably the chief revenue earner of NIPOST.

Probably worried by the apparent threat of extinction arising from IT revolution, the post master general and his team of NIPOST staffs appeared to have gone to the drawing board to map out strategies on how best to face this Information and Communications Technology (ICT) challenge, and this appears to have paid off handsomely. One can now post a mail to ones beloved or friend and receive feedback in just 2-days, unlike in the past when such will take an upward of 2 weeks. All one needs to do is to add the "post code" of where the mail is going and be sure it will get there in matter of two days. It is not surprising that Nigerians are now patronizing NIPOST like in the era of Post and Telecommunications (P&T). Corporate establishments are once again patronizing NIPOST. Government establishments like NITEL now use NIPOST postal service as a median through which its monthly bills are distributed to their customers.

One can conveniently conclude that the upsurge in demand for NIPOST Services may just be connected to Arugungu led progressive innovation in the establishment.  As part of their efforts in ensuring that NIPOST is repositioned for greater operational efficiency, their postal vans are always seen in strategic locations in Federal Capital City. For instance, NIPOST Van can be seen in Federal Secretariat, here, one can easily post mail(s) without having to transport to any of their offices for that purpose.

NIPOST parcel delivery service which came into existence probably in response to the dominance of DHL and UPS seems to have been repackaged and repositioned for greater efficiency. It seems NIPOST has been able to compete with those establishments in parcel delivery. Also, customer service has improved, unlike what use to be the order of the day in time past, where customers are told at the counter that, either there was no stamp or we don't have a particular denomination of stamp by staffs. Now, stamps are available on demand and service is prompt.

In other not to be left out in the Information and Communications Technology business, NIPOST appears to have joined the league of efficient internet services - Cyber Café operation in Nigeria. This writer had the opportunity of browsing in one of their Cyber Cafés in the city centre. The perception that government properties are nobody's own seems not applicable to NIPOST Staffs; here, the customers' relation of NIPOST internet service supervisors is a case in point. For sure, this internet service is one sure avenue of expanding the revenue base of NIPOST.

Pronouncement: much as this giant stride by Arugungu led NIPOST is commendable, more work needs to be done in some key areas. For instance, the department saddled with the responsibility of issuing post office boxes and private mail bags, needs to be computerized for greater efficiency. Also, NIPOST should endeavour to establish Cyber Café outlets in their various offices to widen their revenue base. Training of their staffs in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) should be given urgent attention.

Increased Government attention in the area of funding is also necessary here. Abubarkar Musa Arugungu led NIPOST courage in the face of this intimidating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) challenge is commendable and encourageable.

Emeka Oraetoka

Information Management & Media Relation Consultant

Wrote in from: Garki - Abuja                     

E-mail: oramekllis@lycos.com

P. O. Box 4066.