NCC calls for privatising Emirates Post
The National Consultative Council (NCC) has reiterated the call for privatisation of Emirates Post.
The issue of door-to-door mail delivery, raised by council members from Abu Dhabi, dominated the session chaired by Speaker Abdullah Mohammed Al Masood.
Mohammed Rashid Al Nassiri, one of the members, urged the partial privatisation of the corporation, arguing that such a move would help improve Empost services.
Sticking to the council demand of door-to-door delivery of mail, Al Nassiri said: “The scheme could be implemented if all residential and commercial buildings have post boxes for each flat or office … the concerned mail can be dropped by postal authorities in that box.”
Another member, Ghaith bin Hamil Al Ghaith, suggested the opening of postal services branches in all major shopping malls and commercial centres in the cities.
He said that specialised training should be provided to postal service staff for further improving Empost service standards.
According to Rakan Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Secretary General at the NCC secretariat, a report submitted by the Economic and Financial Affairs sub-committee suggested several ways to develop postal services.
As per the report, at a meeting on February 22, the house committee was briefed by top Empost officials – including Salem Ubaid Al Shaya’a, assistant general manager, and Issa Al Dabboos, general manager – about its services and future plans.
Based on the report, the NCC drew up a-three point draft recommendation to make home-delivery of mail service a reality, with simultaneously maintaining the cost of services at the current position.
The recommendations included expansion of Empost branches across the country. The council also advised the corporation to encourage the public and private sectors to use Empost services more frequently.
The committee, Al Qubaisi told the house, was informed that the corporation has lined up a series of programmes to boost the postal service network, including money exchange facilities, Internet cafes and more franchised Empost outlets.
The corporation has 76 Empost agencies and 307 outlets selling postal stamps in UAE, including in remote areas such as Sila’a, Mirfa and Masafi. However, there are no franchised outlets of Empost as the private sector is yet to show interest in the sector.
Making mail delivery system a reality
* Among the NCC’s ideas to make door-to-door mail delivery system a reality, one suggestion is that Empost develop area-wise postal codes throughout UAE.
* The corporation could also introduce external money transfer services in addition to introducing deposit investment to help generate funds.
* The corporation plans to open 50 franchised agencies in Abu Dhabi and its outskirts. The outlets will be franchised in cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and opened in filling station premises.
