FG initiates new postal policy

Gbola Subair, Abuja - 01.05.2008

A new postal policy that will restructure the postal sector in the country will soon be put in place by the Federal Government.

The policy will grant the postal sector the autonomy to run its own affairs, guarantee all segments of the society access to universal service, provide quality services which support the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and separate between operators, regulator and policy makers

The new postal policy is also to ensure an open, liberalised market with equal opportunity for all competitors, guarantee economic viability of the public postal operator, ensure that the population has access to services according to the technological evolution of the postal service and achieve quality standards similar to best international practice.

According to the Director, Information and Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, the postal policy and new postal legislation were near completion after both documents were subjected to extensive stakeholders’ sensitisation.

Dikki said on completion, the final postal bill would be sent to the Ministry of Information and Communications, which would forward it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Commenting on the new postal policy, the Post Master General, Alhaji Ibrahim Mori Baba, pointed out that his organisation welcomed the proposed reforms as it was hoped that they would strengthen service delivery in the postal sector.

The representative of the Minister of Information and Communications, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozika Okeisaibo, explained that the ministry was committed to a smooth restructuring of the postal sector.