NIPOST to Begin Banking Services, Appoints New Post-Master General Soon

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Sunday, April 17th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Ministry of Communications has hinted that the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) will soon introduce banking services to rural areas in Nigeria.

As parts of the measures to make headway in the new approach, the Ministry had finalised arrangement to appoint a new Post-Master General.

Communications Minister, Mr. Adebayo Shittu dropped these hint in a chat with the NAN Sunday, in Abuja. When in operation, the banking services, he confirmed would avail Nigerians living in rural areas the opportunity to carry out banking transactions.

Adebayo explained that the Ministry was making efforts to re-position NIPOST so as to make it vibrant as well as diversify its services.

Ever since inception of the GSM operations in Nigeria, the Communications Minister lamented that NIPOST had witnessed drop in sales, in particular on on the postage stamp and other services.

In a bid to re position the agency, Mr. Adebayo informed that his Ministry had identified some major areas which could be possibly included in the mandate of its service to the public.

Among the services, he listed were internet services in all NIPOST locations; introduction of rural banking, property development and e-commerce.

Still, he informed that the Ministry was consolidating the capacity of NIPOST to engage in property development, noting that NIPOST usually has more land than needed in most communities across the State of the Federation.

Following this, the Minister advocated for private-partnership arrangement with private sector developers to construct and rent out office blocks, malls and high class residential houses to earn revenue. He added that NIPOST was considering facilitating e-Commerce in its outlets.

On the appointment of new helmsman, Adebayo confirmed that NIPOST has gone through the processes of interview test, hence the unveiling of the new Post-Master General soon.