by Morgan Adderley

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE General Post Office was officially opened yesterday during a ceremony held at its new Town Centre Mall location.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis celebrated the highly-anticipated milestone while ardently defending the locale, which has been a source of controversy. Transport Minister Renward Wells underscored that the facility is open for business and workers have started full days. Both government officials also pointed to the future of the institution, with Mr Wells noting they are looking at developing a sector to deal with online mail orders. He also said a relationship is being forged with international courier, FedEx.

“It is a very good day for the management and staff of the General Post Office, who no longer have to suffer the poor conditions, hazards and risks, associated with the former location,” Dr Minnis said.

“The journey to today has been protracted. Delay and indecision subjected postal workers to substandard working conditions for many years. Despite the political games and the misleading rhetoric by some, this new location is far and above superior to the locations proposed by the former administration. Indeed, the other locations would have proven more expensive and taken considerably more time to open.

“Additionally, the proposed locations by the previous administration were bogged down and riddled with disturbing questions and troubling allegations. Our decision was the quickest, easiest, most cost-effective, and better way to resolve a longstanding and vexing matter that dragged on far too long.”

Last October, a resolution was passed in Parliament to facilitate the move of the General Post Office from its East Hill Street location to Town Centre Mall.

Trade, Financial Services and Immigration Minister Brent Symonette is co-owner of the mall, sparking controversy around the deal.

To this, Mr Wells noted the government decided to make “what some would consider a very hard decision” but said it was done to benefit the employees, general public, and the Bahamas’ international reputation in the universal postal code.

Dr Minnis also noted there is a need for more sorters and other employees at the facility. Mr Wells added discussions will be held regarding this.

Mr Wells also discussed efforts to rightsize the postal department. To this, he said: “I’m looking forward to by July for us to be able to address the problem in a very holistic way and so after the budget debate, during the budget debate, you will hear some things from me in regards to the post office and staffing of all of the requisite departments that are a part of that ministry of transport and local government.”

Dr Minnis also remarked the government is forging a partnership with a “major player to help us embrace global postal trends”.

Mr Wells also elaborated on this: “We had signed an agreement —I don’t know whether the agreement is signed as yet, but I know that we are in the process of forging a relationship with FedEx. We’re also looking to expand the online mail-orderings part of the postal service and we’re going to be looking as to how we can get a dedicated section of the post office that will deal with those purchases from Amazon and global companies that would be coming into the Bahamas so that we can help increase the revenue stream in the post office.”

Regarding the implosion of the old post office, Mr Wells said Central Bank will be tasked with that demolition. However, there will be a salvage operation before this occurs.

“We will move to ensure that the mission and operating model of the postal service includes advanced information and communications technologies. This will be a part of our modernisation and digital transformation programme,” Dr Minnis said.

He also said the facility will be used for “cultural displays” and called for a collaboration with the National Art Gallery and Department of Archives to this end.

“Moreover, we will develop an information centre here, where residents with no access to computers or indigent, or disabled individuals, may receive help from information assistants, in filling out various forms and accessing various services. This may include filling out passport or other forms, and applying for or renewing certain benefits. This relocation presents an exciting opportunity for the postal service to realise the full automation of counter and interior services and to address the upgrade of mail security features.”

Dr Minnis also highlighted the importance of technological advancements in the global postal system to the Bahamas.

“The Post Office Savings Bank is now located in facilities to help revolutionise its service. Postal savings systems provide depositors a safe and convenient method to save money, particularly where there is no access to banks.

“We are also taking this opportunity to revamp our system of mail boat service, making them more accountable, for the transport of mail and packages throughout The Bahamas.”

Zinnia Watkins, a mail sorter at the General Post Office, told reporters this move means “a great deal” to her.

“I only was at the post office for about two years, and I couldn’t take it because it was a lot of of mould and my hands used to break out,” she said, pointing to her scarred arm, “because of the environment. And now that it’s a healthier and clean environment, we have A/C. I don’t mind working 9-5 because we have A/C. We don’t sweat. We’re not in no dust, we’re not in no mould, and we even have a great cafeteria, we can sit down and eat.”