Minister launches Malawi Post Buses: Financed with K700m loan from FDH Bank
Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology, Mark Botomani on Friday launched Malawi Postal Corporation’s (MPC) seven buses in Lilongwe at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) which have been financed with a K700 million loan from FDH Bank.
Botomani said the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) due to the effect of E-commerce requires an effective and efficient courier system to meet the rising demand in courier services.
Speaking during the launch of buses, Bottomani emphasized on the need to develop the post courier industry in the country.
He said the number of people sending letters is dwindling against the number of people sending parcels on the international as well as national scale.
Botomani said in the age of Information Communication Technology, the postal sector remains an enabler of inclusive development and an essential component of the global economy.
“Development of the postal sector features highly in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (III) which domesticates the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
He said unveiling of the Malawi Posts Corporation’s fleet of coaches called Post Buses, brings a new and exciting dimension of business for the public postal operator (MPC).
Bottoman commended MPC for contributing to government’s efforts of social economic development agenda by easing small and medium enterprises’ logistical challenges to ensure individual as well as national economic growth.
“Government is certain that through the Post Bus, Malawians will experience affordable, comfortable and speedy logistical services by a trusted public service provider,” Bottoman said.
“Today’s life is defined by speed and broad connectivity among global, continental as well as national citizens. In addition, the expansion of technology as well as the settling in of the internet has resulted in the courier business growth,” he said.
MPC Board Chairperson, Reverend Masauko Mbolembole said the introduction of the corporation’s buses will not only help grow the institution’s business through improved quality mail and courier services between the high traffic hubs of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
He said the buses will enhance MPC product diversification through the introduction of passenger service and same day courier service between the three cities.
“MPC Post Bus is a timely and relevant innovation for a developing country like ours which needs steady logistical provisions to necessitate speed and efficiency in business transactions,” he said.
Mbolembole called on the public to support the Malawi Postal Corporation as it has proven to be a true friend by serving throughout the years.
“As Malawians, we should be proud of and willing to support the Post Bus as our own. That is why our Moto is Yanga, Yanu and Yathu,” he said.
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Chinese made coaches? The body work will disintergrate on its own within two years. FongKong ndi FongKong basi. Mark my word. Sizibweza ngongoleyo.
Ma Bus 7 mpaka kuonongela ndalama ndi ma allowance akuti kupanga launch dziko lonse lidziwe🤣 umphawi sinzinthudi
Good idea in terms of diversification. However, i hope the business entity will be efficiently managed. MPC is a govt owned and there highly vulnerable to abuse . Carrying anthu achipani for free. Igwa geniyo
MPC had minibuses in around 2005 and the business flopped badly. In the ‘70s and ‘80s Zambia Post Office ran post buses but due to perpetual losses the business went under. I am buffled what motivates MPC to venture into such a business with no management capabilities in passenger transport business. Just looking at the fare structure it is evident that this venture will hobble even before it has started. Passenger transport business is very intricate and requires significant capacity building in order to be successful. I doubt MPC has that capacity. 3 years from today Government will have to… Read more »
This venture by this very same company miserable failed a few years ago. Someone correctly defined foolishness as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. The French say “On va voir”
FDH bought MSB
MSB was POSB
POSB was run by MPC
MPC now gets a loan from FDH to run a bus business which everybody knows will fail
🙄
Please consider to construct decent travelers Park stations for long distances in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre Town fumbi basi ma bus a intercape, city liner, ulemu akhale ndi deport imodzi osati mvula ikagwa nkubisala pa si pa ntengo kudikila bus pawenela.
To grow economy it’s through tourists and investors. Fix these
1=ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
2=WATER SHORTAGE
3=DECENT TAR ROADS ALL AREAS
4=HIGH CLASS AIRPORTS
5=HIGH CLASS BUSS PARK STATIONS/DEPOT
6=WORLD CLASS HOTELS AND RESORTS ALONG LAKE MALAWI AND SHIRE RIVER
These 6 factors can grow Malawi economy with 100%Annually
Those Chinese buses look sub standard, the seats look very basic. In this day and age of competition; Sososo already has an upper hand on the market. People want luxury. MPC decides to bring back the late 90s to early 2000s standards. Mark my words, this coach service is bound to fail. Someone should have given MPC better advice. The buses already look archaic and obsolete.
za lokolo kapena zokwela anthu a ndalama okha?
This is a big mistake by MPC. Bus business needs a lot of internal controls which need money. They need to have in stock containers of spares, these are Chinese Buses!!!!. I hope they they have competent drivers and well equipped and manned workshop. Word of advice to Mr Shamu is to have honest inspectors countrywide otherwise income streams will be compromised. Additionally make sure that you make enough within the first two years before the buses start giving you problems and have a spare bus for relief in case of breakdown. Sososo owner is always there and does ticketing… Read more »