25 Feb 2015

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, has told Parliament that Tlokweng Post Office has a working standpipe, an outside ablution block designated for male and female as well as benches where customers can rest while waiting for services.

He, however, said these were not adequate for the growing number of postal customers, which continued to grow every day.

He said efforts to improve infrastructure and service delivery at post offices had been adversely affected by lack of funds and that Botswana Post had embarked on several operational initiatives to alleviate congestion in their premises.

Such initiatives included staggering payments of allowances to these groups of customers over a period of two weekly, PosoCards for old age pensioners and world war veterans.

He said the customers have their monies deposited directly into PosoCards which allows them to cash it as an when they need it adding that the service turnaround time for paying these groups of customers has been drastically reduced by the use of PosoCards.

For some customers with bank accounts, he said their allowances are directly paid into their accounts through electronic Fund Transfer System and that there is no physical tenure at post offices required for these types of customers leading to reduced extended time within the postal premises awaiting service.

Regarding payment of Ipelegeng beneficiaries, he said Botswana Post is still looking at innovative ways of improving their payments in order to alleviate long queues and inadequate facilities at the post offices.

Tlokweng MP, Ms Same Bathobakae had asked if he is aware that Tlokweng Post Office which provides Old Age Pensioners, Ipelegeng beneficiaries and World War veterans does not have an ablution block, a standpipe or some chairs that be used while waiting in the long queue for assistance. She also asked what steps will be taken to address this situation and when. ENDS