The Guyana Post Office Corporation: Gearing for the challenges of Globalization
The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is gearing itself for the challenges it faces in an increasingly globalised world. This is according to Acting Post Master General, Mrs. June Emptage-Morgan.
Morgan noted that rehabilitation of post offices around the country, an increase in various types of services offered and a sustained staff training programme are three main elements of the drive behind the change.
She noted the Post Office has moved from just a place where stamps were bought and mail is posted, to a developing one-stop-shop, where even stationary and post cards can be purchased.
Rehabilitation
Over the last five years, the GPOC has undertaken a massive rehabilitation programme for its branches around the country. Beginning with the USD 800,000 work done on the McKenzie Post Office, she said over USD 50 M has been spent on rehabilitation works at various post offices, along with USD 4 M spent to purchase a 230 KVA Generator for the Main Branch. This, she said, is an initiative to ensure that there is uninterrupted service by the Post Office and its tenants.
Additionally, an internet cafe has been opened at the Post Office’s Carmichael and Lamaha Streets location.
Services
Mrs. Emptage-Morgan stated that the Post Office now offers Money Transfer services, where in one case, there is a partnership with Carib Cash Money Transfer Service. She said transfers from St, Lucia and Anguilla are also done. The entity also deals with U.S. Money Orders and is also the agent for British postal orders.
Utility bills such as Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and GUYWA can be paid through the Post Office. The Acting Post Master General stated that for GT&T and GPL, same-day transfers are done in the Georgetown area, and at outlying branches transfers are done next day.
She said 15 computers have also be placed at Post Offices around the country offering the same service, an initiative undertaken in partnership with Carib Cash Money Transfer.
The GPOC has under active consideration the introduction of an Express Business Mail Service, where the entity would uplift mail and deliver within an hour. This management promised, would be an efficient and effective service, but would entail slightly higher rates.
In the meantime, with the advent of globalization and competitiveness in the service-oriented sector, international Courier services have provided formidable challenges to Post Offices the world over. The GPOC is no exemption.
However, in the spirit of competition, The GPOC provides an International Mail Express Service, which Emptage-Morgan boasts is cheaper than the competition. She said it costs USD 3,500 to send an express mail to the US, USD 4,000 to the UK, Europe and beyond, USD 4,500 to India and China and USD 1,500 around the Region. Additionally, this service is expected to be extended to Canada. Express mails are already being received from the North American country.
The GPOC is the agent for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, making pensions and public assistance payments for that Ministry. It is also the agent for the Treasury where Treasury pensions are paid. The Ministry of Education also benefits from its service, since teachers’ salaries in Hinterland communities are now paid through the Post Office. Previously, teachers in Hinterland communities were made to wait for months, in some cases, to receive salaries.
Some Regional Democratic Councils in Interior areas also use the services of the Post Office to pay staff salaries.
