Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has revealed that the Communications sector roadmap and the e-government master plan was ready for implementation. Adebayo made this disclosure when he paid a familiarisation recent visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in Abuja. The minister who was represented by Mr Sunny Echono, Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the ministry was poised to commence the implementation of the documents that would safe guide the interventions of the communication sector in the next three years. "Copies of the draft will soon be sent to your management staff so that you can come up with strategies that will ensure that we move the sector forward very quickly. "This is to let you know that these policies of which you were contributors are ready for implementation and you are expected to participate actively,” he said.
According to him other policies that the ministry wants to bring to the attention of the agency was the postal bill which was before the National Assembly. Shittu explained that one of the issues that the bill would help to resolve was the dual role that NIPOST plays as a regulator, an active operator and a revenue generator. "The transformation of the postal service should be something that all staff should embrace career wise and it is also good for the country, the image and the leverage the service will bring. "Making you a central and vocal element in the governance of our country."All issues related to ICT services, financial inclusion, logistics, delivery of goods and services, digital economy and e-governance are all hitched on this platform. "With your large offices and postal offices across the country you will be one of the prime movers of that,” he added.
He said the ministry hopes that the national assembly would quickly pass the postal bill so that it would position NIPOST to adequately carry out its mandate. He added that plans are on to constitute an implementation committee that will be chaired by the Vice-president Prof. Yemi Osibajo. Shittu said six states were ready to come on board and was optimistic that other states would follow suit. Speaking on the ICT road map, he said the ministry was partnering with a technology company and also counting on the collaboration of all agencies in the ministry to work together. He affirmed that NIPOST as a critical agency would be given the draft when it was ready and top management would be expected to fashion out and identify policies and programmes that would help to drive the implementation as it affects the agency.
He informed the staff of the plan to increase their salaries as he understands that the agency was the least paid among all the agencies in its purview. He, however encouraged the staff to look into other ways of generating more revenue by consciously increasing their productivity. Earlier in his welcome address, acting Postmaster-General of NIPOST ,Mr Richard Balami said the generality of the staff were fully prepared to key into the policy thrust of the government that would enhance an effective postal service to the citizenry. "We are particularly mindful of current trends worldwide as regards the value of ICT to construct change and wheel of progress to postal activities. "We are aware of the need for the Nigerian Post to not only adopt, adapt but also to initiate some moves that will put Nigeria in the limelight. Balami however, appealed to the minister to make pronouncement publicly that the stamp duties as it was been operated by NIPOST postal agents were legitimate.
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