By RABECCA CHIPANTA –
ZAMPOST Postal Services Corporation has recorded a profit of K1.76 million during the last quarter of 2015 as compared to 2014 when it incurred a loss of K4.67 million.
Post Master General McPherson Chanda said the profit reflects a 138 per cent performance improvement which was attributed to an 11 per cent increase in revenue and 15 per cent cost reduction as compared to 2014.
Mr Chanda attributed the growth in profit to an increase in customers using post box services adding that the highest monthly operating profit margin was achieved in December at 12 per cent.
He said during a press briefing in Ndola that with introduction of the ‘Know your customer’ system, ZAMPOST had integrated Information Communication Technology (ICTs) in the use of post boxes allowing customers to track mail online and receive notifications once mail is available.
“Zampost has registered favourably financial performance for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 by posting a profit figure of K1.76m during the quarter,” he said.
Mr Chanda said ZAMPOST was eager to replicate the favourable performance in the current quarter which would end on March 31 this year towards achieving a profitable 2015/2016 financial year.
He said being a State owned enterprise which had operated as a loss making organisation for the past 20 years,  the consequences were adverse not only on its employees but customers too.
“As a State owned enterprise, we actually see profitability as not just a business imperative but as important to the well being of the nation.
In this regard we are acting consistent with the Zampost strategic vision for the period 2016 to 2018 namely to become a highly successful business organisation,”
Mr Chanda said the corporation had so far spent about K5 million on refurbishment of post offices across the country with the introduction of state-of-the art facilities.