West African Postal Conference begins operation

The West African Postal Conference, an alliance of postal administration in the West African sub-region, has commenced operation with its headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, has said.

Johnson said this at the signing of an agreement for the building of the headquarters of the organisation in Abuja.

She said the main objectives of setting up WAPCO were to put in place a modern, efficient and viable postal service.

She added that the role of NIPOST would help to integrate the postal services within the region.

The decision to site the headquarters of WAPCO in the city of Abuja was approved during the conference of ministers in charge of postal services of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States held in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, in April 2012.

Johnson said the council approved, among others, the creation of WAPCO as a regional and inter-governmental organisation to be registered in the class of specialised institutions of the ECOWAS and the establishment of a secretariat for the body in Abuja, Nigeria with an interim executive secretary.

She said, “Sequel to the decision to locate the headquarters of WAPCO in the city of Abuja, Nigeria took the responsibility for the provision of both office accommodation and executive secretary’s residence and other logistics as pledged.

The minister said the steps were taken to ensure that the body takes off in earnest to achieve the laudable objectives of the organisation within the shortest period. The efforts of Nigeria, according to her, were highly appreciated by member countries during the Extra-Ordinary Session of the Board of Directors of WAPCO.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that today, WAPCO secretariat has been established and has come to stay. It was inaugurated by the council of ministers during the last Extra-Ordinary Session of the ministerial conference in Abuja.”

The minister added, “This historic signing of the WAPCO headquarters agreement and issuance of diplomatic privileges to the executive secretary are, undoubtedly, great achievements to the West African Postal Administration.

“This will assist the secretariat to settle down and perform its statutory responsibilities that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our postal services in the West African sub-region. Furthermore, the agreement will also accord a diplomatic status to the WAPCO Secretariat.”

The Ivorian Post and ICT Minister, and the Chairman of WAPCO Ministerial Conference, Mr. Bruno Kone, expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for taking the responsibility of providing office accommodation, executive secretary’s residence and other logistics.

In his welcome address, the ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of ICT Dr. Isaias da Rosa, thanked the Federal Government on behalf of ECOWAS for accepting to host the WAPCO headquarters.