KEHINDE AKINTOLA
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has expressed overwhelming support
for the reform and repositioning of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST),
which seeks to create enabling environment for private sector
participation in the industry.
The bill is one of the economic bills initiated by National Assembly
Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) – a partnership between 8th
session of the National Assembly and organized private sector (OPS).
The House repealed the Nigerian Postal Service Act Cap. N127 LFN 2004
and establish the Nigerian Postal Commission which makes provisions
for the development and regulation of postal services and for other
related matters.
According to the report seen by our Correspondent, the objectives of
the legislation include: implement the national postal policy;
establish a regulatory framework for the Nigerian postal industry and
for the purpose to create an effective, impartial and independent
regulatory authority; promote the provision of a modern universal,
efficient, reliable, affordable and easily accessible postal services
with the widest range and coverage throughout Nigeria.
It also seeks to ensure local and foreign investments in the Nigerian
postal industry and the introduction of innovation services and
practices in the industry in accordance with international best
practices and trends as well as ensure fair competition in all sectors
of the Nigerian postal industry and encourage participation of
Nigerians in the ownership, control and management of postal
organizations.
Similarly, the bill seeks to encourage the development of postal,
manufacturing and supply sector within the Nigerian economy and
promote effective research and development effort by all postal
industry practitioners; protect the rights and interests of postal
service providers and consumers within Nigeria; ensure that the need
of the disabled and elderly persons are taken into consideration in
the provision of postal services; as well as ensure an efficient
management including planning, coordination, allocation, assignment,
registration, monitoring and use of national resources in the postal
sub-sector and also promote and safeguard national interest safety and security.
Clause 11 further empowers the Public Postal Operator to: provide
basic financial services that may include but not limited to money
transfer (acceptance and payment) travellers’ cheques, savings,
operation of giro account, bank deposits and withdrawals either
directly or on agency basis; postal insurance services, electronic
postal services and other information communication technology
services as well as such other financial services as may be determined
from time to time by the Public Postal Operator.
The bill which provides for appointment of Part-Time Chairman by the
President for a period of four years and eligible to additional four
years as well as Public Postal Operator as Post Master General for a
five year tenure and re-appointed for another five years.
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