ABUJA – The Postmaster General of the Federation, PMG/ Chief Executive of the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, said that it is working on pushing the postal reform bill which has been in the National Assembly for 15 years now, to become law.
Speaking at the ‘Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, meets PMG’ event with the theme: “Repositioning Nigeria’s Logistics &Courier Services Sector For Sustainable Growth”, Odeyemi highlighted some of the challenges of the service to include: infrastructure deficit; security issues such as theft, vandalism; complex and cumbersome regulatory environment; among others.
She revealed that by 2027: “We would modernise 50 percent of NIPOST location, that should be 700 locations.”
She added, “repositioning is a national priority to unlock the full potential of the logistics sector. We are working on Postal reform bill, to achieve separation of regulatory arm of the NIPOST from the operational part.
“Logistics and courier service sector plays a pivotal role in the economic development of any nation. We are nothing without the ability to move goods. In Nigeria this sector has seen growth with the rise of e-commerce and modernization, there is an increasing demand for fast and reliable delivery of goods and service.”
In a panel discussion, Chairman, Courier and Logistics Management Institute, CLMI, Prof. Simon Emeje, lamented that the postal bill seeking regulatory commission has been in the national assembly since 2005.
He said that the problem stems from the fact that the government has not known much about the industry.
“When the government gets to know, it would help them to formulate policies that would move the industry forward. It would help the regulator to speak less to the government; it would also help the operators to do their job seamlessly.
“Government formulates policies, put frameworks together but if the input that would give the government the grip to make fantastic policies for the industry is not there, there is nothing any operator or regulator can do.
“The asset worth of this industry is not less than N15 trillion, is a big industry, this industry can give the whole of what is the annual budget of Nigeria back to the government. If that is the case, then there should be an attention paid to the industry”.
Earlier in his welcome address, President and Chairman of Council, NBCC Ray Atelly, said that logistics and courier services are the backbone of any thriving economy.
He stated: “In Nigeria, this sector holds immense potential to drive sustainable growth, enhance competitiveness, and improve the quality of life for our citizens. To unlock this potential, we must address the challenges that have historically hindered the sector’s development”.
