NIPOST to clamp down on unlicensed courier, logistics operators

The Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD) of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) is set to clamp down on illegal courier and logistic businesses across the country and professionalise the industry.

The General Manager of CLRD, Gideon Shonde, made this known at a seminar held to present licences to newly registered operators in the industry, in Lagos.

According to Shonde, there is regulation with provision for enforcement in place to tackle the menace of illegal and unlicensed operators.

He informed further that there is a postal bill, which was presented before the Lagos State House of Assembly two months ago to reform the industry, have a conducive environment for investors to make quick returns for their investments, tackle security as well as safety issues that are being raised in the sector.

The General Manager explained further that the department was also working with the leadership of the Local Governments Areas (LGAs) to put an end to multiple fees, levies and charges by the agents and officials of these local governments.

He emphasised the need for operators in the sector to invest in relevant information, training and enlightenment programmes about the regulations that apply in the industry, stressing that regulations are to help create a conducive environment for all.

Shonde added that the existing regulations would be due for review in the next five years and by that time, there would be a roundtable opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss and agree on the contents as to what to remove; what to change and what to retain in the existing regulatory framework.

General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of ADG Logistics and Courier Services, Olubodun Ogunyankin, one of the newly licensed logistics companies noted that without the license, whatever courier operations anyone is involved in is illegal as only the license confers legitimacy on the business.

“It also confers credibility on ADG’s license which is the national license allowing us to carry out courier and logistics services across Nigeria.”

He further added that: “our company name has been listed in the directory and any prospective client can ascertain our status by checking the NIPOST website. It is now clear for us to approach organisations that we could not have talked to for business because we were not licensed. Now we can confidently prospect any business or organization for courier and logistics business.

“Now that we have a license, we are set to increase our visibility and advertise ourselves. Presently we are in four major cities including Abuja and Lagos. We shall be expanding to other cities in the coming months as well as recruiting quality staff to join our team and then embark on an aggressive marketing drive to create a large customer base in all the major sectors of the economy while ensuring we are close to the customers.”

Ogunyankin urged the regulatory agencies to clamp down more seriously on unregistered operators who he described as quacks in the industry. “This will rebuild customers’ confidence in the licensed companies and reduce a number of the headaches including unwholesome undercutting of rates.”

The newly licensed operators were taken through the ethical expectations of them in the course of running their businesses. This licensing batch is the first to be held after the new regulations in December 2020 came into effect.