NIPOST partners CBN on financial inclusion

Aligning with the Federal Government’s cashless policy, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would soon introduce cash transactions in all post offices across the country to enable more people have access to finance.

This was disclosed by the Area Postal Manager (APM), Lagos Island Territory, Dr. A.E. Abianga, on the occasion of the year 2013 World Post Day and customers’ forum.

Mr.  Abianga explained that the aim of the programme was to give cash access to rural dwellers and areas with no banks; adding that service would commence soon and using NIPOT’s wide network of postal installations.

According to him, “posts remain important facilitators of national and international trade in this constantly evolving world. It has continued to play a vital role in the exchange of information and goods, serving as engines of trade, growth and development while redefining itself to meet customers evolving needs.”

The APM maintained that counter services and delivery operations have all been automated, thereby ensuring that mail processed are captured on-line and can be easily tracked.

He pointed out that, in year 2012 alone, post globally delivered an estimated 350billion letters and more than 6 billion parcels. “Out of these, NIPOST, Lagos Island Territory delivered 6,232,015 mail items and accepted a total of 3,466,827 postal items during the period.

According to Abianga, Lagos Island Territory have had the benefit of some of its offices being given a face-lift such as : Victoria Island, Badagry head office, the general post office Marina counter, Ikota and Imude Post Offices.  In a related development, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. M.A. Umo regretted that  writing culture is long dead  in the country as evidenced by the fact that 95 per cent of mail items being handled in NIPOST’s letter offices daily are business letters.

He believes that  something drastic has to be done to revive the reading and writing culture, “and bring back the old good days among Nigerian youths.”