Government loses N6m revenue to non-renewal of licences by firms — Bankole Orimisan

With the latest development, the number of registered courier operators in Nigeria, which was initially 290 has now been downsized to 278, according to NIPOST.

Also, a number of associated motorcycle delivery companies based in Lagos, were identified as operating illegally in contravention to the NIPOST Act, which requires such operators to be licenced as well. Among the companies allegedly running unlicenced motorcycle delivery services are Bd Logistics, Baskets Foods Limited, E-Top Nigeria Limited, and Nuli Juice Delivery.

Emeje explained that NIPOST, in its magnanimity, waited four years before embarking on the revocation exercise. He warned the public against the continued use of the unlicenced operators, saying that they were at very big risks, as the operators can be visited at any time by the CRD surveillance team, who will confiscate all items found in their offices, and proceed to prosecute the operators, if found operating behind sealed doors.

He said: “We are mandated to play a level playing ground for all operators, which we have been pursing without fear or favour. The 12 courier operators have been warned severally in the last four years, to come and renew their licence.

“We deem it unethical and unhealthy for the general public to continue to patronise them, because they have lost touch with realities in the industry.

“For you to continue rendering courier services, you have to obtain a licence, and renew the licence every year. That allows NIPOST to continue to monitor your operations and ensure you do not lose touch with the operational guidelines in the industry.”

He said it is dangerous to the society for the unlicenced operators to continue with their operations, as they could engage in illicit acts such as smuggling of banned and hazardous products.

Emeje said that CRD with its limited resources and facilities have continued to expand its surveillance to ensure that no operator whose licence had been revoked continued to render services to the public.

On the other four operators whose offices were shutdown, he said the CRD will ensure they remained shut until the owners regularised their operations by registering with NIPOST.

The NIPOST chief listed the fee for licence renewal in various operational categories as: N350,000 for indigenous local courier operators; N500,000 for indigenous/international courier operators, and; N1.5million for foreign international courier operators. “Obtaining a licence for international courier business costs N10 million; same amount goes for Indigenous international. Domestic players obtain licences for N2 million,” he added.

To cut short on the losses of the past four years, Emeje said the CRD, despite its limited resources and facilities, has continued to expand its surveillance strategy to ensure that no operator whose licence had been revoked continues to render services to the public,” he said.