Brian Rungano Temba
Minister for Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere yesterday challenged the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) to come up with lasting solutions for the postal industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his speech at the official opening ceremony of the PAPU 10th Ordinary Plenipotentiary Conference which Zimbabwe is hosting at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls, Minister Muswere said the COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on international postal supply chains to unprecedented levels.
Cross-border exchanges, for example, decreased by 21 percent between 23 January 2020 and 14 May 2020, compared to the same period the previous year.
Minister Muswere said; “As supply chains have been strongly disrupted worldwide, the weakest links of the postal network have been exposed and that should be taken as a blessing in disguise.”
He challenged committees to exercise their minds on key issues which including the sector`s sustainability going forward.
“This therefore calls for us especially the working committees, the Administrative Council included to put our heads together and come up with lasting solutions so that the Post continues to be relevant even after the pandemic. Designated operators working together with respective governments should put more effort on revolutionizing the whole postal sector.”
Minister Muswewere applauded the Administrative Council for the work produced by its legal team led by Zimbabwe in coming up with amendments to the PAPU statutes.
“The amendments such as, increasing the number of AC members from 20 to 25, empowering the AC on its own volition to convene an extra-ordinary session and expanding the functions of AC for better oversight and coordination. These amendments are forward looking as they compel the organ to ensure diversification of the post,” said Minister Muswere.
Minister Muswere also commended the developments in Ivory Coast, as it is tipped to become the e-commerce hub for West Africa through the “ecom@africa” project being funded by Universal Postal Union (UPU).
“It is up to us to initiate such developmental projects in our countries and the UPU will never leave us alone when we meet challenges along the way.
“The ecom@Africa project as an initiative of the UPU aims to accelerate the development of e-commerce through the postal network. This project includes, among other things, the construction of a national express logistics centre in the airport area. With this support and encouragement, ladies and gentlemen, I have no doubt that the Post in Africa will eventually equate the Swiss Post, Austria and Germany which were ranked top by The Universe of Data Statistics in 2020 as the most efficient postal services.,” he added.
Vying for the position of the next PAPU Secretary General in this year’s session are contenders from Mali, Egypt and Zimbabwe. From Zimbabwe is Post Master General and Zimpost boss, Mr Sifundo Chief Moyo.
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