Federal Government stops cash payments at NIPOST

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has suspended all cash payment plans within the establishments of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) nationwide.

Pantami directed the Postmaster-General (PMG), Adebisi Adegbuyi, to ensure that all its offices revert to Point of Sales (PoS) and bank teller transactions immediately.

The minister’s order followed claims that some people had been taking undue advantage of the cash payment system of NIPOST to engage in corrupt practices.

According to the minister, the move is in line with the anti-corruption agenda of the present administration and the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

In a statement yesterday, the minister enjoined the general public and NIPOST customers to insist on the use of PoS or bank teller when conducting business with the service.

“This directive is a temporary measure in the interim to tackle corruption, as we are currently working on fully automating the systems as a permanent solution to the challenge,” he said.

In the same vein, Pantami also directed the PMG to immediately implement strategies that will end unnecessary delays in NIPOST’s service to customers.

He said his office, under whose purview the supervision of NIPOST falls, would not condone the current trend of delays in postal services.

“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy are committed to protecting the rights of all Nigerians and will not tolerate any act of corruption under its watch,” he stated.

Meanwhile, while speaking at the NIPOST Special Day some weeks back in Abuja, Adegbuyi had indicated that the agency was committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for inclusive development in the country.

Represented by NIPOST Zonal Manager, Abubakar Usman, the PMG said the agency had expanded its frontiers to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

“The postal sector in Nigeria is an enabler of inclusive development,” he added.

He emphasised that NIPOST was committed to changing the narrative of postal services by leveraging on innovations for improved service delivery.

“Introduction of a wide range of products and services such as e-commerce, logistics, and microfinance collaborations are the ways NIPOST is leveraging on the latest technologies to transform the postal landscape and satisfy its customers.

“The goal of NIPOST, like other postal sectors around the world, is to become a communicating melting pot where other value-added services are provided aside posting of letters,”‘ he said.

Adegbuyi disclosed that NIPOST was collaborating with other agencies such as the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for value-added services to the populace.

He added that NIPOST was introducing some reforms that would improve service delivery. “We intend to create a ‘24/7’ inquiry platform where customers can get immediate feedback or response.”