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Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and Egyptian firm,E-gate, have signed agreement on digital transformation of logistics, last-mile delivery chain and other services.
The partnership was revealed when the Chief Executive Officer of E-gate, Essam Alsaghir, visited NIPOST’s headquarters in Abuja.
Explaining the significance of the agreement, Alsaghir said that digital transformation is fundamentally changing the way postal service operates and deliver value to customers globally.
He noted that the partnership will help transform the services of NIPOST to meet customer’s expectations, adding that when the agreement is implemented, the entire last-mile delivery will be automated using driver mobile application.
Alsaghir said ustomers will be able to track and monitor their goods through the mobile app.
He further stated that the development is aimed at creating job opportunity for Nigerians.
“E-gate platform will digitally be used to transform all logistic operations and last-mile delivery of NIPOST.
“Our partnership with NIPOST will provide our customers with new technology and mobile app for a secure, easy, faster way to reach their clients, not only for postal service but other transaction.
“I think this is a very important process to transform NIPOST to meet customers’ expectations. With the new technology and mobile app, customers can now track everything online.
“This will generate a lot of opportunities for citizens. We don’t call it like a job or employment, it is an income generating opportunity where citizens’ vehicles will be used. Now every citizen with a vehicle will be a potential courier agent for the PoS and private business. And this will give us a reach to a footprint of the country and to provide better service for the customers and for the government as well,” he said.
Speaking, the Postmaster General/CEO of NIPOST, Dr Ismail Adewusi, noted that the initiative is a milestone achievement for the agency.
He stated that the partnership will help address infrastructural gap in NIPOST.
Adewusi said NIPOST is taking advantage of agreement to enhance its capacity in last-mile delivery and to do more in terms of enhancing the quality of its services.
He explained that the collaboration will be an intrinsic value proposition towards the expansion and growth of the e-commerce sub-sector in Nigeria, noting that it is in conformity with the digital economic initiative of the Federal Government.
“Today is a very important milestone that we have accomplished by the signing of this agreement and sticky notes. The past six months was used to navigate the process that led to this agreement.
“Digital transformation of NIPOST implies that from end to end, customers can track the movement of their mails and parcels. And I think it’s one area that we’ve really lacked some form of competitive edge. But with the signing of this agreement, I think we have come full circle to addressing this major infrastructure issue.
“And of course, this will also assist us in contributing to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of lifting 100 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years. Because with this newly signed agreement, we’re going to be able to engage several thousands of youths who are otherwise not gainfully employed, and by so doing contribute to employment opportunities in our country,” the Postmaster General said.
The agreement is aimed at allowing Pan African Postal Union(PAPU) stakeholders to explore and execute business opportunities for registered communication and digital postal services.