POST Master General Macrice Mbodo has challenged fellow heads of postal corporations across the world to devise an alternative use of counters at major post offices.
Mr Mbodo, who also heads Tanzania’s Posts Corporation (TPC) observed here midweek that such counters were fast becoming irrelevant as customers were now embracing the use of Information and Communications Technology(ICT) at the expense of the counters.
“There will be no customers accessing the counters to send money or parcels,” said Mr Mbodo on the sidelines of Universal Postal Union (UPU) advanced certification training workshop for postal security experts.
According to the Post General Manager, customers were shunning the use of counters in various services such as booking of money orders, various transactions relating to Post Office Savings and Postal Life Insurance.
He equally warned of security risks that had engulfed the post industry, saying they come in different dimensions.
On her part, UPU’s security programme expert Ms Dawn Wilkes noted that the landscape of the post was changing rapidly, calling for measures of cushioning such changes.
“We need to be aware of that and we need to change with it,” she insisted.
According to Ms Wilkes, the foundation of postal services was built upon trust and security.
Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Secretary General Sifundo Chief Moyo rooted for the strengthening of the postal supply chain.
He further observed that security was a necessary ingredient in providing high quality service.
“We need to ask ourselves how security can become an insulator to postal services on the continent as we strive to go digital,” added Mr Moyo.
Established in 1874, UPU is the second oldest international organisation worldwide.
With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.
In this way, the organisation fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.
