Govt injects P2.9m in Mahalapye Post Office facelift
Bonte Seepi | Wednesday October 12, 2016 16:40
In his remarks Botswana Post chief executive officer, Cornelius Ramatlhakwane said the upgrading was meant to improve the operational efficiency through the provision of agency, postal, courier and logistics as well as financial and banking services all under one roof.
He said it is worth noting that the government is striving to ensure that no one is left behind in the provision and accessing of communications, financial and logistics services which is in line with the 2016-18 strategy of the Universal Postal Union. “Over the years, the post office has transformed to be a service provider as opposed to the traditional post office we knew. We have automated all our counters, added new products and services but continued to also provide the traditional postal products,” he said.
Ramatlhakwane added that since the post office serves a diversified clientele, the refurbished post caters for everyone including youth, elders, business people and Ipelegeng workers.
In its new look, the refurbished post office has increased counters to seven, with two dedicated for paraplegic customers, one for parcels and four normal counters. There are also two counters for the bank services by BSB, two consultants’ counters, two counters for Botswana Couriers and Logistics and BSB ATM. For his part, Botswana Postal Services Group (BPSG) chairman, Ogaketse Mathware urged Batswana to utilise the ultra-modern post office saying the new building accommodates a better provision of services to the public.
Mathware said despite the difficult economic times that the country is facing, the government of the day has heard the pleas of Batswana for the need to speed up and prioritise the refurbishment of some post offices by approving a P40 million grant through the Universal Service Obligation Fund.
“This launch comes fast on the heels of the 50th Independence Celebrations that marked the beginning of a turning point in the history of our nation. We are looking forward to seeing the flourishing business merger,” he said.
He said BotswanaPost through its extensive footprints of 127 post offices nationwide, and one virtual branch accessed digitally through mobile phones has over the years made it possible for government and the private businesses to reach the nation with their products and services. “We have seen the introduction of the funeral policy being availed to the communities, the introduction of the Poso Card ensuring convenience and a more secure way of disbursing pensioner’s allowance. Our grand parents can now enjoy the service which allows them to bank their money as opposed to the old voucher system when they were expected to withdraw all their monies,” he said.