Post Office gets a new look
The Post Office was once a hot, dark, drab place where one would go to buy stamps or even post a letter. That drab headquarters on North Front Street as Ann-Marie Williams found out has transformed itself.
Ann-Marie Williams
“The Belize Postal Service officially started in Belize in 1860 right here at the Paslow Building. The last renovation was done before some of you were even born, certainly before I was born, forty-years ago. Yesterday, however, the Post Office got a new lease of life.”
It’s a welcome change long in coming for staff and members of the public–a public lobby with security, six new offices, registration section and a lounge, all opened by Prime Minister Said Musa, who saw the Post Office as a communication vehicle which can be credited to keeping relationships a float via the love letter delivered by the postman.
For veteran postal worker of almost three decades now, Post Master General of twelve years Compton Hinkson, it was a proud moment.
Compton Hinkson, Post Master General
“We will now be offering to our customers, the most important people in the Post Office, without them there’s no reason for a post office. We will now be offering them air-conditioned comfort. And now with our staff working in a modern renovated office we expect that the quality of service offered will escalate. Of course the Post Office has always maintained the best quality of service being offered to any member of the public within the public service. We are steps above other departments in the public service when it comes to taking care of our customers.”
Minister responsible for Post Offices Richard “Dickie” Bradley, himself a former assistant Post Master General says the Post Office is worthy of praise.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Min. Responsible for Post Office
“The Universal Postal Union, which is the international body for all the world’s post offices, did a rating system of the world’s Post Offices and Belize was among the top ten Post Offices in terms of quality of service and speed of mail items. In Belize we actually do a twice-daily delivery of mails in the biggest population centres in the country. We’re handling thousands of items every week, we are training our first post woman.”
And training the first post woman is an important stamp of approval for bridging the gender divide which exist among the Postmen. Hinkson also spoke of the Express Mail Delivery, which promises to be cheaper than DHL and FED-EX. It is expected to be available in two weeks.
Compton Hinkson
“At times quite a number of business places and people would like to send important documents or would want something to arrive at a certain time in destination countries and are willing to pay whatever it cost us as long as we deliver or guarantee that the item will be delivered the time you would like it to be delivered.”
Hinkson is certainly not the only proud staff member.
Russell Lord, Postal Cashier
“I work more comfortably. Now you don’t have to worry about the heat which gets you all ignorant.”
And what exactly is the public’s perception?
Lisa Forbes
“Quite nice, comfortable, cool. I think it’s a nice working environment, a little better than what they had before.”
Ashton Magdaleno
“Look better, more presentable, have A.C. It’s far better than the last one.”
Mario Vernon
“Well, really I like to see the first one. This one I have to get used to. I was a bit puzzled when I first came in, it seems too open to me.”
One thing he says he doesn’t have to get used to as it seems to be an everyday thing around here is…
Mario Vernon
“The staff, they are very friendly.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News Five.
Government has also recently acquired a piece of land in down town Orange Walk, where they plan to build a post office for that municipality.
