Axe dangles on illegal courier companies in Nigeria

In a bold move to sanitise the growing courier business in Nigeria, NIPOST has begun moves to deal with illegal operators.

The organisation is also embarking on comprehensive registration of operators in the industry. Already, a regulatory body in NIPOST, Courier Regulation, has been put in place for the exercise.

Unfolding this as well as other strategies put in place for this development was the Post Master General of NIPOST, Alhaji Abubakar Argungu. The Post Master General who spoke in Lafiaji, Obalende Lagos office of NIPOST through Mr. Simon Emeje, Senior Assistant Post Master General, (Courier Regulation) warned courier operators and luxury buses to register with the regulatory body on or before 31 March or face sanctions.

He assured that a comprehensive list of registered courier firms in the country would soon be published so as to guide the general public on their choice of business relations. The Post Master General identified globalisation, deregulation and democratisation as key factors that informed NIPOST’s move.

“For over 14 years of its existence in Nigeria, the courier industry had to cope with lack of clearly defined operational guidelines and ethical standards,” he regretted, noting that NIPOST had by Act 41 of 1992 been empowered legally to carry out the exercise.

He urged operators in the industry to comply with such guidelines as proper incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission, minimum of five branch networks in the country and equity capital base of not less than N2 million.

Speaking exclusively with Broad Street Pulse, Mr. Simon Emeje noted that Courier Regulation, like the National Communication Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, the regulatory bodies for telephone and capital market operators in Nigeria, would be very transparent in its functions, adding that a level playing field would be created. He said as many players in the industry would be welcome, noting that with just 84 courier firms in Nigeria, the country is a far cry from London which has well over 1000 courier firms.

Broad Street Pulse gathered that NIPOST Courier Regulation has already put in place frameworks, including investigation, security and legal to ensure the success of the exercise.

The forum also had in attendance principal officers of the body, including Mr. Bolade Anjorin, Mr. Taiye Olaniyi and Mr. Sule Daniyan