17 October 2011
Tonga's Ministry of Public Enterprises in
association with the Tonga Post Limited joins more than 150 other countries in
the world in commemorating the World Post Day on October 14 in Nuku'alofa.
Although the official annual observance occurs
on October 9, which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal
Postal Union (UPU) in the Swiss capital of Bern, in 1874, this year, a special
dedication programme was held by Tonga's Postal service at its headquarters on
Taufa'ahau Road.
The aim was to generate a broader awareness of the Tonga Post's role in
people's and businesses everyday lives and its contribution to the social and
economic development of the Kingdom.
The Minister for Justice and Public Enterprises, Hon. Clive Edwards
honoured the programme with distinguished guests and members of the Tonga Post
Limited Board of Directors in attendance.
The Postal
Service still continues to ensure a vital communication link between people and
businesses worldwide, not only in daily life but also in the face of natural
disasters and emergencies.
Mr Siosifa
Pomana, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Tonga Post Limited
reflected on the recent development efforts that the company offers since it
was recently corporatized in July 2008.
One of the
key concerns was that the Post continues to introduce and promote new postal services;
the most recent is a pilot project involving a door-to-door delivery service
known as the Nuku'alofa Express.
Mr Pomana
also noted that the philatelic exhibitions of new stamps collections of the
Tonga Post still among the most popular services for visitors and Tongans
alike.
Meanwhile,
parcels are on the rise, as Posts have taken advantage of the growing
popularity of e-commerce to become the preferred distributors of those who buy
and sell over the Internet.
However, like
other sectors, Posts are faced with economic crises and increased competition,
but in this era of rapidly developing information technologies they are still
managing to hold their own.
Serving for nearly 50 years
Still
standing today, the Nuku'alofa Post Office building, as it was known back then,
was officially opened in 1967 by His Late Majesty King Tupou IV.
At the time,
there were only 540 private letter boxes opened for government departments,
organizations and individuals as main customers.
Today, there are over 4000 letter
mailboxes accommodated for businesses, associations, government entities but
also a growing number for individuals and families.
One main objectives of the Tonga Post Limited is aimed at
getting every household in Tonga to
subscribe for letter boxes by the end of the year.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011.
