BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE the growing threat from social media, Minister with Responsibility for Post, Hon. Ian Liburd has declared that the postal sector has withstood the test of time and challenges it continues to face.
In that light, the Ministry has recognized the importance post plays in the socioeconomic development of St. Kitts and Nevis and he has launched the long-awaited Postal Code System.
In a speech to mark today (Oct. 9) as World Post Day, Minister Liburd explained the purpose of the new system.
“It is simply a post code or zip code that identifies addressees’ location and assists in the sorting and delivery of mail items. Customers are encouraged to visit our main offices in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Charlestown, Nevis for more information.”
This new initiative, which was promised for some time, will give each citizen and resident an official address, thus making the delivery of mails and parcels easier by postal employees.
In spite of the challenges, Liburd noted that the postal sector still carries the major responsibility in global communication, which continues to evolve.
The Ministry of Post and the General Post Offices have recommitted the Federation to providing efficient and effective postal services of the highest quality.
“Together we will ensure that the post transforms itself with modern services in order to increase its customer base and attract the younger generation with goods and services. With the changing demands placed on operators, our postal software network will have to evolve to these changes. The upgrading from IPS Light to IPS Post by 2018 will allow the post office to be ready for e-commerce and to transition ourselves to be more competitive in our global economy. The time has come for the postal sector to be more adaptive to the change globally.”
Back in 2015, the post office had joined the new age when it launched its new US mailbox service, which allows citizens and residents to shop online and have their parcels shipped through the GPO.
That service has been used as a major revenue generator for the government’s coffers.
The Minister extended profound gratitude to all postal staff within the Federation for their continuing dedication and hard work “to ensure that mails are delivered in an efficient and timely manner”.
Further, he called on all to “let us make use of postal services and new technologies to build our local and national economies and to strengthen our contribution as a people of St. Kitts-Nevis to world culture and development so as to ensure the fulfilment of our universal obligations”.
“Today, as workers, we celebrate and indeed it is with great pride I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy World Post Day,” he added.
This year’s World Post Day is celebrated under the theme: "Transform to remain an enabler of inclusive development and an essential component of the global economy."
