ACTING POSTMASTER general and CEO of the Postal Corporation, Michael Gentles, has responded to recently published letters in The Gleaner. In a statement to the newspaper, he expressed confidence in the existing postal service's security arrangements.
NEEDLESS ALARM
According to Gentles, "The circumstances described may generate needless alarm, and it is essential that we clarify these issues in order to allay such fears.
"We have responded to the writer whose contact was published seeking a discussion on the matter. When damaged mail arriving from another country is received here, it is 'patched up' as best as possible prior to being forwarded to the addressee.
"A mark is stamped on such 'repaired' packages to indicate this pre-existing state. Our customers are not likely to be pleased with such experiences, but we maintain our corporate responsibility, completing the communication process by delivering the item, irrespective of the fact that damage was not attributable to our action or neglect."
He asserted: "Obviously, a complete discourse on postal security strategy will be counter-productive. One writer suggests that postal staff members deliberately stay after closing hours to get a chance to rummage through mail and pilfer at will. It is vital that we establish - both to our customers and the media - that with appropriate security arrangements being in place at all post offices, such an occurrence is highly improbable. The sanctity of mail and its contents is clearly established with all postal staff, and these tenets are constantly reinforced."
He continued to explain: "We do not, therefore, expect any staff member to consider such an action practical, and the proclamation by this writer creates a ghastly image in the mind of all who read this letter, without them knowing the truth."
AIRMAIL SECURITY
"The events of previous years have been instructional in generating constant revision of our security arrangements. This explains our confident, proactive stance to initiate the Inter-national Airmail Security Review in Jamaica in February 2005, spearheaded by the United States Postal Service (USPS), under the auspices of the Postal Security Action Group. We had no fear in having such an esteemed group investigate our internal security, and the findings reported relatively minor issues".
With regard to airmail, Gentles was careful to point to a cooperative effort involving Jamaica Post's allied corporate partners in mail delivery, including Air Jamaica and other airlines, the Airports Authority, as well as the management of both international airports, the Jamaica Customs Department and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, in jointly fulfilling their respective roles within the ambit of a comprehensive mail security programme.
LOCAL SAFEGUARDS
In response to queries regarding local mail, the postmaster general was certain that appropriate precautions are in place.
He stated: "The prospect of mail being tampered with is severely restricted by provisions such as having a team performing all Customs' inspection procedures, rather than delegating such a vital responsibility to an individual. By mandating a team's involvement, pilferage of package contents is virtually eliminated.
"Additionally, rotating postal staff and Customs agents dispels possible notions of forming a confederacy of scamps. Local mail security is facilitated by a mix of operational procedures and a cadre of regional managers who monitor activities within their assigned parish".
POSTAL MANAGEMENT
Gentles, who took over the lead role at Jamaica Post last October, has served in a senior management capacity since 1998 when, as part of its modernisation process, the Post and Telecommunications Department (P&T) began recruiting professionals with private sector management experience to bolster its human capital.
He cautiously advocated: "No human being is perfect, and by extension, no system is perfect, hence our persistent vigilance".
The acting postmaster general urges customers who suspect that their mail may have been exposed to irregularities to contact the P&T Department directly and provide facts that assist investigations in order to resolve the issue.
Customers may write to: Carolle Hainsley, deputy post-master general, 6-10 South Camp Road, Central Sorting Office, Kingston. Alternatively, callers may contact the Customer Service Unit via telephone:
922-9448.
Gentles concluded: "With over 70 million mail items being processed annually, it is inevitable that a few will go awry. However, Jamaica Post has made a determined effort to improve the quality of the nation's postal service and has made significant strides in advancing mail security and delivery standards. We maintain our commitment to facilitating communication for development."
Visit us on the Web
THE POSTAL Corporation of Jamaica's website address is www.jamaicapost.gov.jm. Post Corp now has a complete website that provides a degree of interactive engagement for visitors. Listed are services, postage rates, postal outlets, and other information. To facilitate enquiries or make comments, a 'Contact Us' page allows visitors to send email messages directly to Post Corp.
