Major upgrades planned for 23 post offices

Over the next six to eight months, an additional 23 post offices will undergo significant upgrades as part of the Government's broader plan to modernise Jamaica's postal network.

Addressing the reopening of the newly renovated Liguanea Post Office, at the Liguanea Post Mall in St Andrew on September 17, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Dr  Dana Morris Dixon, said the modernisation drive also aims to expand the entity's reach and enhance the services provided to communities across the island.

“This location mainly got infrastructure upgrade, but the other ones, those other 23, will be completely transformed. When you go there, it will not feel the same – very similar to what you feel at CSO (Central Sorting Office). When you go into the Central Sorting Office, it feels like you have gone into a different world; that is what will happen to those additional post offices,” she said.

Morris Dixon noted that the improvements will also benefit the staff at the facilities.

The modernisation exercise was executed by Jamaica Post, in partnership with the National Identification System (NIDS) and features new tile work, modern counters, additional computers, commercial service upgrades, updated branding and signage, among other things.

The Minister argued that with the rise in digital communication and the change in the way information is sent and received, post offices have to become logistics centres and cater to the needs of individuals and increase its revenue inflows.

“Emails, instant messaging and social media platforms have drastically reduced the volume of traditional mail, and so when you see these improvements that are happening, we have to look at it within the context of changing times. In order for us to be able to do what we want to do or the post offices and our postal system, it needs to be making money and the reality as we send our WhatsApp and emails, the revenue of our postal sector has gone down significantly,” she said.

“While letters may be extinct, the digital economy has opened new doors for the post office to play a pivotal role. The rapid growth of e-commerce means that more packages are being delivered than ever before. The future of post is obviously not mail, mail is dead, the future of post is in our post offices becoming logistics centres,” Senator Morris Dixon said.

She cited the United States, as an example, where that country undertook a major overhauling of their postal service to become a logistics entity.

“When you look at post offices around the world that have done well or are doing well, it's not many; not many are making money. All over the world, post offices are having to figure out how do we adapt and change with this world that has changed, and what is clear is that it has to be about re-envisioning the post offices,” the Minister said.

“Many post offices around the world, a lot of their revenue is coming from financial services, it's not your old mail, and so what we have had to be doing in Jamaica is thinking about how do we shift, how do we repurpose,” she added.

She noted, too, that the entity is exploring opportunities to partner with financial agencies and provide services in that sector.

Morris Dixon said with hundreds of locations across the island, post offices have the potential to be a hub of services for the modern community.

“We can provide more than stamps and post boxes; we can be a place where individuals and businesses alike access essential services. This includes offering financial services, expanding access to government services and creating space for small businesses to thrive by providing a range of business solutions,” she argued.

Meanwhile, Senator Morris Dixon further disclosed that post offices will be transformed into digital service to create a more digital-inclusive society.

“They will serve as digital access hubs providing free or low-cost internet connectivity, computers and access to digital public services and essential online personal services, such as bill payment. Most of our people do not have cheap internet access, and while we work at building out our broadband infrastructure, which is currently being done, we believe that the post offices can help to bridge that gap that we have,” she said.

She added that these digital service points will assist in bridging the digital divide by ensuring that even those without access to technology at home can engage with the digital world.

“They will empower individuals to manage personal or business affairs online and take advantage of the opportunities. For many communities, the post office will be the first point of contact for these critical digital resources, so in rural and underserved areas, the post office can be a lifeline. So, by transforming our post offices into tech-enabled hubs, we create a more digitally inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the digital economy, no matter where they live or how much they earn,” she said.

Postmaster General/Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Post, Lincoln Allen, encouraged persons to continue supporting Jamaica Post as it strives to remain the nation's preferred logistics partner.

He further explained that the operations of the Liguanea Post Office were temporarily relocated to facilitate the extensive renovation.

“These upgrades, executed in partnership with the National Identification System (NIDS) are part of a broader strategy to modernise Jamaica's postal services. Through this collaboration with NIDS, several NIDS Enrolment Sites will be located at various post offices islandwide,” he said.

- JIS News

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