Postmaster General – By Deslyn A Joseph
Postmaster General Announces New
The Antigua and Barbuda Postal Service is set to expand its reach across the island with the installation of new post office boxes in two key communities.
In a recent interview with Observer Media, Postmaster General Algernon Gomes revealed that the project is a priority for the department, with a rollout expected to commence in the coming months.
The initiative aims to modernize postal services while simultaneously increasing government revenue. By outfitting rural and high-traffic areas with dedicated boxes, the service intends to offer a new level of accessibility for residents who may currently find it difficult to receive regular mail delivery.
The Postmaster General identified Cedar Grove and Nelson’s Dockyard as the primary locations for the new installations. “The newly built post office in Cedar Grove has been cited as having the necessary capacity to house the units, while authorization has already been secured from National Parks to proceed with installations at the Dockyard sub-office,” he stated.
While All Saints Post Office was previously a hub for postal boxes, Gomes noted that it is excluded from the immediate rollout due to ongoing renovations. However, once the structural upgrades at the All Saints branch are completed and the building is rebuilt, outfitting the facility with new boxes will become a priority. ‘The overarching plan is to outfit other post offices with these boxes to supplement existing services at the Woods branch and the High Street headquarters,” he added.
Addressing the practical benefits of the project, Gomes explained that the boxes are designed to solve logistical hurdles for residents in rural areas where it may be challenging for postmen to reach individual homes. He noted that the main purpose of the post box is to facilitate mail for those in difficult-to-reach locations. Residents can rent a box and whenever mail arrives, postal staff will place it in the box for the customer to clear at their convenience.
The Postal Service has established a tiered annual fee structure based on the size of the box and the volume of mail received. Small boxes are priced at $125 per year and are recommended for homeowners who receive only a few items of mail. Medium boxes are available for $200 per year, while large boxes, priced at $300 per year, are recommended for businesses that receive a heavy influx of daily mail.
Beyond the new installations, the Postmaster General issued a reminder to the public regarding mail collection. While the post office has moved to a new location, many customers still have mail waiting in boxes at the old High Street location. Gomes also reported success with the department’s weekend opening hours, noting a visible reduction in the volume of mail being held at the office. Many citizens, particularly those attending church on Sundays, are reportedly taking advantage of the weekend availability to clear their boxes and stay current with their mail.