28 Mar 2022

 Botswana Post has been applauded for delivering the P720 000 Rakops Post Office refurbishment project on time and on budget.

  Official opening the project on Saturday, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane commended the organisation for cost effectiveness on project delivery.

“We must applaud the successful implementation of projects that speak to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The vice president noted that the project was delivered by a citizen-owned company which recruited locally.

He said it was government’s desire to see the post office making services accessible to Batswana and playing a critical role in bringing developments to rural areas.

The refurbishment included extension of the banking hall, additional service points,  an interactive consultation room, extension of a shelter and air conditioning.

The new environment did not only improve customer service but also enhanced working conditions, the vice president said.

Meanwhile, Botswana Post chief executive officer, Mr Cornelius Ramatlhakwana said the organisation had set a target of building 10 post offices this financial year but had so far built seven at a total cost of P7 million. 

The desire was to refurbish all post offices in Botswana, he said.

He disclosed that the  Rakops project, which included maintenance of the branch manager’s house, cost P720 000.

Mr Ramatlhakwana said the post office would be servicing surrounding villages such as Khumaga, Motopi, Makalamabedi, Xhumo and Moremaoto.

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said Botswana Post deserved recognition for its commitment to government’s vision of bridging the digital divide and ensure equal opportunity through access to universal postal services.

Mr Segokgo stated that principles set out in the stakeholder compact agreement that Botswana Post was signatory to, ensured that the organisation subscribed to good governance.

The agreement also ensured  the organisation’s agility in its operations enabling it not to rely on government for funding, Mr Segokgo said adding that Botswana Post had been able to do more with less. Botswana Post board of directors member, Mr Matthews Phetogo,  said the organisation had forged  partnerships with retailers to expand physical channels of providing services thereby cost effectively reducing congestion.

As part of an ongoing strategy, the organisation was in the process of adding 10 new kiosks at large and small retailers across the country, he disclosed. Ends