The Role of Financial Services and Logistics in Postal Services in the 4IR

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  • January 27, 2022
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Address of the Special Guest of Honour,

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), PHD, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Unveiling Of Nipost Debit Card, Agency Banking Platform and Launching of Nipost/Speedaf Logistics Vehicles on Thursday, January 27, 2022

All Protocols duly observed

May Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you!

I am delighted to be at this memorable occasion of the unveiling of NIPOST electronic debit card, its agency banking platform, and the commissioning of new trucks for e-commerce and logistics services.

The Card being launched today is the first of its kind in the history of postal service in Nigeria. It is a card embedded with unique features, such as the NIN or BVN, Biometrics, Address Verification and Geo fencing etc. It is designed to serve multiple purposes such as conditional cash transfer wallet, electronic money orders, e-Naira wallet, Micro Pension Agent wallet, Bank account, Bills payments etc.

With the deployment of agency banking, NIPOST counters will handle more IFS transactions with more Universal Postal Union member countries, and also the payment services on REMITA. This increased capacity in financial services is not only a welcome boost in its corporate image, but also its income.

It is gratifying to note that the brand new trucks (27 in number) also being launched today, were acquired through Public Private Partnership (PPP) between NIPOST and SPEEDAF NIGERIA LIMITED.

There exists huge potential and excess capacity in the private courier ecosystem, which incidentally is under NIPOST regulation. Such private but excess asset and capacity could be collaboratively annexed to the service of Nigerians.

There is no doubt, that these trucks will go a long way in assisting NIPOST in its drive towards efficient mail and cargo distribution and delivery.

It is worthy to note that NIPOST Management despite some obvious constraints has been unrelenting in its efforts to improve both its operations and quality of services through internally generated revenue. There, however, is still much work to be done especially in the area of service delivery.

In the communications market, our efforts should be geared towards improving on the existing products and services and developing new ones aimed at meeting the demands of the customers. To achieve this, we must continue to incorporate new technologies into the Postal operations to reduce cost to the citizens and, at the same time improve on the service delivery and increase efficiency. There is no doubt, that Technology has revolutionized the Communications Industry and as a result offers a lot of challenges and opportunities to the Postal Sector.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to use this opportunity to restate Government’s full support for the growth and development of the Postal Services in Nigeria. Postal Service is a key institution in every country today. It plays a significant role in promoting the development of technologies and technological outputs such as the NIPOST e-Debit card we are launching today and reduces the socio-political and economic isolation of our peoples. It eases business struggle and connects small and medium scale enterprises in urban and remote areas with their customers within and across national borders.

Today, as we remain resolute to bring about unprecedented changes into the postal services. It is my hope that Nigerians, especially rural dwellers, would leverage on the opportunities presented by this to improve their socio-economic wellbeing.

Finally, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my singular honour and privilege to unveil the new NIPOST Electronic Debit Card for public use, its agency banking platform, and the new logistics trucks to enhance mail and cargo distribution across the nooks and crannies of the country, for the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.

Thank you for you all for listening.

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