By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet Minister yesterday outlined what she described as “fundamental reforms” to the General Post Office’s operations, disclosing that it planned to launch new products.

Glenys Hanna Martin, minister of transport and aviation, said the Post Office has been plagued by “many chronic issues, including the physical condition of the General Post Office building on East Hill Street.

“The Government has now identified a solution to this long-standing problem, with the relocation of those operations to be undertaken to the former City Market Shopping Centre situated on the East-West Highway junction with the Tonique Williams Highway,  and plans are now under review  and timelines being developed for each phase of the relocation,” said Mrs Hanna Martin during the 2016/2017 Budget debate.

She added that the  the Auditor-General’s audit of the Post Office Savings Bank had highlighted deficiencies in the system, and possible malfeasance and fraud. A police investigation is  currently underway.

The audit of the Government’s 2013-2014 accounts, which has been tabled in the House of Assembly, also called for the Post Office to be restructured and “immediate actions” taken where there was evidence of theft and fraud by staff.

The Auditor General warned of an “alarming amount of alleged theft” at the Post Office, with at least one of its practices branded “a breeding ground for improprieties”.

“The most critical issue is that the computerised records crashed in 2008, causing for a manual system to be implemented,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

“I believe it is because of this that the Auditor General stationed at the General Post Office two of his officers to conduct daily reviews of operations but, despite this, vulnerabilities persisted, which highlights the stubborn weaknesses inherent in manual accounting systems, which are widespread and complex.

“The Ministry engaged an accounting firm which has, for several months, been involved in the meticulous process of  digitising accounts and  preparing  accounts for full digitisation,” Mrs Hanna Martin added.

“With these fundamental reforms underway, the Post Office will  now seek to strengthen its human resource complement by additional staffing and comprehensive training. New products are lined up, including a proposed partnership with an internationally-established fast mail company so as to create modern products within the operational capability of the Post Office.”