Postmaster General TPC, Deos Mndeme

Despite  stiff competition, Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC) is reporting an increase in its annual revenue from 4.5m/- to 20m/-, Postmaster General TPC, Deos Mndeme said that when addressing the Regional Development Plan (RDP) meeting held  in Arusha yesterday.

At the meeting Communication, Science and Technology Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa called upon African postal co-operations to explore new business models, adopt the full-use of information and communication technology (ICT).

 “…we are living in a digital era and our way of doing things should be in line with the time …” and so according to the Minister “…use of technology and e-commerce is not an option but mandatory...”

Others in attendance were experts and representatives from members of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) with whom Mbarawa agreed that the post office’s position in the economy is paramount.

“…it is the core to all business we need to reform the sector…and retrain the staff…”

Also in attendance was Ambassador Bishar Hussein who is the Director General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and he was skeptical of the current condition of post services across the continent. According to him, the post office sector is susceptible to the rapid changing of ICT and stakeholders must come up with innovative approaches that would keep them afloat.

Secretary General of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) Younouss Djibrine, explained that the RDP is a very pertinent initiative for the development of African post offices through the formulation of the next Regional Development plan for Africa.

“…the current plan, whose formulation and validation is the main reason for our meeting, bears special significance to Africa as the programmes are based on the regional priorities we had identified within the framework of the round table meeting prior to the Doha Congress...” PAPU official clarified.

TPC Postmaster General Mndeme, assured the attendants that the state-run corporation was moving in the right direction, in his words he had this to say.

 “…you would be astonished to see what we have achieved through innovation and diversification strategies...”

He however admitted that some of the traditional services remain stagnant in spite of the on going ICT global revolution but he revealed that TPC has in place a five year-strategic plan meant to commercialise, modernise and diversify all the post office’s activities.