Operators cry out over decades of postal sector neglect

Indigenous courier operators in the country have sent a ‘Save Our Soul (SOS) message to President Muhammad Buhari, lamenting the lingering issues surrounding the non-passage of the Nigerian Postal Reform Bill since 2004.

The issue according to the operators have limited the nation from taping the potentials of the industry.

Mrs Vivian Okeke, managing director and chief executive officer of TransRoyal Courier Nigeria Limited, said it was the industry has been abandoned by the successive administrations.

“There was a sort of debate that courier/postal sector be moved to the Ministry of Transport, because the Present Ministry appears unfavourable to the industry. However, I feel, it is not about where we are placed as a sector rather it is how we will give adequate attention. Since 1985 when the old Postal & telecommunications (P&T) was divided by the then Head of State, General Muhammad Buhari, now the incumbent President, we have seen the telecommunications industry grow in leaps and bounds, because they have an independent regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to her, unlike the telecoms, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) lacks enough regulatory prowess to guide the industry, thereby denying the operators and the government the leeway to tapping its potentials.

Nodding in agreement, Mr. Siyanbola Oladapo, president, Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (ANCO), said that the dwindling trend in the sector, was attributable to, but not limited to, lack of due regulation channel; and absence of proper regulation; inimical activities of local government employees on Nigerian roads; misunderstanding of courier operators importance and schedule by the law enforcement agents and ultimately, non-recognition of the viability of the sector by the Federal Government.

Oladapo said that the demand for reforms in the postal sub-sector has been recurring decimal l in Nigeria’s policy formulation.

Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has at different fora Federal Government’s plans to turn the Nigerian Postal Service into a mega conglomerate offering services in E-Commerce, E-Learning/Library Services and issuance of the Nigerian Passport and Drivers License among other security documents.