Nigeria: Union Members Kick Against Postal Reform Bill
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transportation and Corporation (SSACTAC) have criticised the proposed postal reform bill currently with the National Assembly, saying federal government should concentrate with the manpower development and deployment of ICT based facilities before embarking on any reform.
The union members who are angry with the dwindling fortune of the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL), and the Nigerian Mobiletelecommunication (MTEL) since they were sold to Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), urged the federal government to put the postal reform bill in abeyance until required manpower development and ICT based facilities and other basic developments expected from the government are put in place, to serve as a spring board for an efficient postal service delivery.
In addition, SSACTAC member have equally called for the removal of the current Postmaster General of the Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba to make way for expert and seasoned administrator to head the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
The union resolved that a workable post sector policy that would meet the future challenges and aspiration of all stakeholders, can only be achieved when government meets the acceptable transportation system and the designation codes and its commitment on investment in infrastructure development in NIPOST.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, president general of SSACTAC, Mr Adetunji Adesunkanmi said that deployment of ICT infrastructure and man power development in the postal sector would not only grow the postal services market, but will “ensure the survival of NIPOST as a universal postal operator in the face of vicious competition even in a so called regulated market”.
The union also agreed that adequate resources should be released for the postal reforms to follow especially to enable NIPOST meet its business plans. “That a performance bond based on quantifiable and achievable objectives should be drawn for NIPOST to guide its management team by the BPE management and organised labour (NUPTE and SSATACTAC)” Adesunkanmi said.
