17 Post Offices will be ICT ready during 2017
GINA, GUYANA, Friday, December 09, 2016
Seventeen (17) Post Offices will be upgraded to Information Communications Technology (ICT) Hubs in 2017, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes disclosed during her contribution to the National Budget Debates in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The collaboration between the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), and the Ministry of Public Telecommunications will see Post Offices in Kamarang, Acquero, Mabaruma, Ituni and Aurora among others receiving satellites. They will benefit from internet connectivity that will be made possible through the E-Government’s Public Internet Access Points.
Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes supporting budget 2017
Minister Hughes said that ICT connection will significantly enhance the Post Offices’ services such as bill payments, same day money transfer and the envisioned Electronic Pension Payment, and online shopping.
The Minister highlighted that there are 64 Post Offices throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, 10 of which were made ICT ready in 2016. She noted that as of November 2016, 47 post offices through the country are ICT equipped.
Minister Hughes said that methods of communication have changed, and this particular source of national revenue had to undergo some alterations.
“Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform that Government intends to recalibrate the Post Office’s mandate, to more efficiently accommodate our people’s 21st century ICT needs,” Minister Hughes said.
Additionally, the GPOC commenced rebuilding the Kitty Post Office in 2016 and this will soon conclude to serve the residents of that locality. The Minister said that in 2017, further enhancement will be made to the Post Office’s security and building.
This will see the renovation of the Anna Regina and New Amsterdam Chief Post Offices based on budgetary allocation for capital works in 2017. Additionally the GPOC will also seek to regularise its properties and acquire land titles which are currently in the name of the Colony of British Guiana; ownership of land titles will allow the Post Office to acquire funding to improve its infrastructure, Minister Hughes pointed out.
By: Gabreila Patram