Argungu
and the Revolution in NIPOST By Emeka
Oraetoka 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 |