Business Reporter
The 39th Ordinary Session of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) began yesterday in Victoria Falls with representatives being urged to double efforts in revolutionizing the postal sector as it is a catalyst for e-commerce on the continent.
Addressing delegates at the conference, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Governments should put their heads together in order to make the postal sector relevant in the modern day business.
“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 COVID-19 pandemic. Designated operators working together with respective Governments should put more effort on revolutionizing the whole postal sector,” said Minister Muswere.
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director General, Dr Gift Machengete, concurred with Minister Muswere and added that the postal services should be safe-guarded as it represents the future.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Posts are the future. That future depends on organisations such as PAPU, which are mandated to ensure postal sector survival, transformation and development in the midst of new emerging technologies. That future depends on our ability as PAPU member states to turn the threats to the postal sector created by new and emerging technology into opportunities,” said Dr Machengete.
Dr Machengete further said the postal sector should remain in sync with future technologies and patterns adding that it should also champion innovation rather than chase and adapt to innovations from other sectors. He said such approach would certainly guarantee postal sector survival into perpetuity.
The PAPU conference being held in Victoria Falls will see the election of the new leadership for the organ. Zimbabwe’s Zimpost Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sifundiso Moyo is contesting the Secretary General post.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officially open the conference this coming Friday.
