By Ragan M Conteh

The Sierra Leone Postal Services (SALPOST) has been ordered by a special committee in parliament to give a status report of its activities.

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Information and Civil Education met on Monday 26 February 2024.

The meeting was chaired by Hon. Dr. Unfa G. Koroma at Committee Room 1 at parliament building.

In his opening remarks the Chairman of the committee Hon. Dr. Unpha Koroma said the interactive session was organized to understand the operational activities of the SALPOST.

Addressing officials of SALPOST, the committee chairman appreciated the institution for honoring their invitations.

He said the committee would be happy for the institution to highlight its mandate, achievements, and challenges.

In his statement, Mr.Brima Katta, managing director of SALPOST, said he had a pleasure to have attended the meeting with MPs.

He noted that technology had affected their job but they are finding a way to improve on their mandate.

He said they have branches in the provinces and the postal service is a global network.

The chairman highlighted the work of the universal postal services of which Sierra Leone is part of.

He said the institution has deep challenges noting that they are receiving no funding from the central government.

SALPOST boss said at present they are paying salaries regularly but they had inherited Le 2.8 billion on union drawbacks and benefits for staff before taking over.

He said the post service is a natural institution and it is mandated to serve everyone.

On the technology aspect, and the way- forward , he said, the company is intended to embark on financial services, E-government services, agency banking, Top Up services with lower cost past renewal and licenses and others.

He said through their engagement with the central bank, they will soon actualize their projects implementation.

And later SALPOST will bring an agreement to parliament for ratification.

He said policy reviews for the institution had been done and funded by a consultant by the World Bank.

MPs called on management to rebrand the institution and actively engage partners in development.