Dear Minister @DrIsaPantami. Section 45 of the Nigeria Postal Services Act states clearly that the power to grant courier license resides with the minister of communications. You owe it to Nigerians to halt this draconian move right now.

#thread

Another fact that bothers is the fact that NIPOST is an operator and at the same time a regulator. This is not going to work going forward. Even after this new policy is reversed, we have a big duty on our hands because of this act. Anyone at NIPOST or the ministry can still...

take advantage of this act. The question here is, do we amend the act and take the power to regulate the courier “industry” away from NIPOST? If we do that, where do we take the powers to? If it remains with NIPOST, they remain operators and regulators. Not good.

Another issue we have on our hands is the issue of state governments regulating the courier business as well. So we have the states claiming they have the powers and we have the FG, through NIPOST (backed by the act) claiming the rights. Double regulation and taxation.

Double regulation and taxation is a killer. This is not a new thing in a country practicing federalism. State vs Federal will always be an issue. I’ve been involved in such industries where we have States vs Federal issues. It is a business killer.

My dear courier operators. Although, this massive protest is important and timely, the real work is still ahead of you. You need to approach the courts to deternime who regulates you. Also, if you want to work on any act, like the NIPOST act, please let me know.

I am more than willing to lead that on your behalf at the House of Representatives. However, you must be the ones to tell me what you want as you are the practitioner. Once we have determined who regulates you, you must continually engage the regulators.

Regulated industries are tricky. One unscrupulous DG or board can formulate a “deadly” policy but continous engagements limit such dangers.

The battle has just begun. And it never ends.