Malawi moves to develop postal policy
Minister of Information Gospel Kazako says Malawi is working towards developing a National Postal Policy to ensure sanity in the postal industry and fill gaps that have brought confusion.
Speaking during the commemoration of the World Postal Day at Nsanje Secondary School on Friday, the minister said through the policy and subsequent regulatory interventions, government expects the postal industry to be vibrant and inclusive.
Kazako said: “I am always saddened that it is only Malawi Posts Corporation [MPC] that is serving our rural communities and all other players in the sector are concentrated in the cities and towns.
“Let me, therefore, appeal to the regulator, Macra [Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority], to ensure that appropriate regulatory incentives are provided to operators that are willing to serve our rural communities.”
He acknowledged postal and courier service providers as an integral part of communication in Malawi who should be commended for the role they play in the development of the country.
The minister said government, therefore, recognises that postal services have great potential in delivering essential social and economic services to Malawians across the country.
But Kazako warned postal service operators not to get complacent with gains that have been made over the years, saying they should instead keep on being innovative through the introduction of new services to consumers across the country.
On his part, Macra board member Alekeni Menyani said it is pleasing to note that postal services operators have been innovative and are coming up with new services and products.
While asking licenced postal and courier operators to put the welfare of consumers at the heart of their services, he said Macra will support them so that they are able to address gaps that are present in terms of service delivery as well as consolidating gains that have been made so far.
Menyani said: “I am pleased to say that our operators have really worked hard by coming up with new innovations to improve service delivery for traders who are now using the Internet to order goods.”
As part of the World Postal Day commemoration, Macra officially handed over a computer laboratory, 14 desktop computers, 20 chairs and 20 desks to the school.
