FG to Engage in Rural Banking, E-Commerce and Real Estate Through NIPOST

As part of new reform plans, the federal government has expressed its intention to reposition the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) to offer more services, one of which is banking for rural communities.

Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, that the banking services would avail Nigerians in rural areas who have no access to banks, the opportunity to carry out banking transactions.

Shittu stated that with reforms set to be implemented at NIPOST, the agency would be made vibrant and its services diversified to include internet services, property development and e-commerce.

The minister noted that since the commencement of GSM operations in the country, NIPOST had witnessed an acute drop in sales particularly for postage stamp and other services, therefore necessitating the expansion of its mandate.

“We are also looking at consolidating the capacity of NIPOST to engage in property development; you will recall that in most communities NIPOST usually has more land than needed.

“So we are seeking private-partnership arrangement with private sector developers to construct and rent out office blocks, malls and even high class residential houses to enable us generate revenue,’’ he said.

Shittu said that the ministry had finalised arrangement to appoint a new post-master-general, who is expected to kick start the reforms in NIPOST.

“We have gone through the processes of interview test and new post-master-general will soon emerge.

“Once he emerges, the reforms will take off,‘’ the minister said.

Story: Punch