WINDHOEK – In an age when many opt for the email and other instantaneous communication systems, the postal services appear still to remain very relevant in Namibia.
The future of the local postal services sector was given more backing on Monday when the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joël Kaapanda, announced in parliament that Nampost would open five new post offices later this year.
The planned opening of new post offices will bring to 141 the number of post offices scattered across the country.
Kaapanda made the announcement when presenting the ministry’s budget speech in the National Assembly and indicated that the new post offices will be opened in Ohangwena, Omusati, Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions.
“In its efforts to take services closer to the people, especially in rural areas, Nampost will open five new post offices,” said Kaapanda.
Nampost is also in the process of introducing business centres across the country, with the aim of providing access to basic computer and internet services to the public using postal infrastructure.
“Plans are further afoot to cooperate with NBC in the sale and distribution of NBC branded Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) set top boxes to ensure the widest reach,” he said.
He said that Nampost has put in place mechanisms to deploy postal infrastructure for it to increase its participation in ensuring access to affordable financial services.
Kaapanda said the ICT sector continues to make significant contributions to economic development and competitiveness through innovation, research and development.
The minister said the information ministry was endeavouring to promote local software development to facilitate online service delivery.
More than half of the ministry’s budget is allocated to the national broadcaster, the NBC.
Kaapanda said the N$311.9 million allocation will allow NBC to continue with the DTT rollout and it is anticipated that by June 2014, 65 percent of the Namibian population would be covered.
The international DTT migration deadline is next year June.
“The funds will also be utilized to continue with the expansion of digital television channels, upgrading of the studios and the development of local content,” said the minister.
The Namibian Press Agency will receive N$20 million for its operational activities, and covering and production of news stories for print media and radio stations.
“It will also cover the production of audiovisual news and documentaries for online and television viewers,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, New Era Publication Corporation was allocated N$12 million to implement its business plan towards becoming self-sustainable and for the production of news in Namibian languages.
N$12 million was also allocated to the Namibia-Zimbabwe joint venture company, NamZim.
“These funds will be used for the gathering and production of news articles and opinion pieces from an African perspective, as well as promoting SADC as an attractive investment destination.”
The ministry has allocated N$8.5 million to the Namibian Film Commission.
The commission will this year host the first ever Children’s Film Festival under the Namibia Eco Kids Film project to promote environmental awareness.
“The Commission will provide a mentorship programme through an incubation project to SME film businesses in order to develop the industry to contribute to job creation and poverty reduction,” Kaapanda said.
By Mathias Haufiku