The Nigerian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications plans to undertake a series of innovations including the introduction of new technologies such as the introduction of Internet services, mail insurance, tracing, fiber optic etc to enhance its works in the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Dr. Frederick Norkeh when he addressed the usual Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) Thursday press briefing at the Conference hall of that Ministry.
According to the Postal Minister, when he took over as Minister he received several reports of missing mail and other items, prompting him to pay over US$10,000 to various claimants, adding that he did this good faith, with the understanding that problems lead to solutions.
He added that in view of these problems, his Ministry wants to engage in business, adding that they are nearing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between his Ministry and the Lonestar Cell mobile phone company for the transfer of money through postal services, they will also be selling scratch cards, establish a print shop for printing documents among others.
The Postal Affairs Minister hinted that the reason to engage in business is to make profit. “But we in government are doing business in order to promote values”, he said. He added that they have also embarked on the construction or re-construction of rural postal outlets or post offices in Voinjama in Lofa County, in Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, Kakata and Saclepea and that their goal is to have post offices in all the commercial cities of Liberia.
“My plan is that there should be a standardised postal building structure in every capital of Liberia’s 15 political sub-divisions to enable us have a better control”, he said.