Minister Of Comms & Digital Economy, Isa Pantami Orders NIPOST To Suspend New Charges For Courier Services
Following outcry on social media, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has ordered Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to suspend the newly imposed charges for courier services in the country.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Pantami stated that the increase of license fee was not part of the regulation of courier services that was approved for implementation.
Read Also: NIPOST Fee: Nigerians Protest Against New Charges On Courier Services
He stated that Post Master General (PMG), Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi and other persons involved were contacted on Friday, July 24 to put the implementation on hold and send a report to the ministry on Monday, July 27.
Pls @NipostNgn, our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier APPROVED for you. Your Chair and PMG were YESTERDAY contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday. Best wishes!
— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) July 25, 2020
The minister expressed that the power of regulation of NIPOST lies with the ministry of communications and digital economy.
Pantami added that any change of fee must be specific and approved by him before implementation.
2) @NipostNgn, d power of regulation of NIPOST lies with the Minister. Any change of fee must be specific & be approved by him before implementation. I know the economic challenges of NIPOST. However, looking at the economic hardship of our citizens, we need to suspend any move
— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) July 25, 2020
According to the new charges by NIPOST, companies which provide international courier services like DHL, UPS and FEDEX, are expected to pay N20m for a new licence and N8m annually while those offering national services are expected to pay N10mfor licence and N4m yearly for renewal.
Logistics companies operating within regions are expected to pay N5m for licence and N2m annually.
For firms operating within states, the cost of procuring a licence is N2m while renewal costs N800,000.
Courier firms that operate within municipalities are to pay N1m for licence and N400,000 annually.
For Small and Medium Enterprises, the licence is N250,000 while the annual renewal of the licence is N100,000. Such small courier firms have less than fivedelivery vehicles.
