Here are some discussions delivery operators must have after this NIPOST protest dies down and people move to other trending matters.

#thread

1. Acceptance they are operating in a regulated segment of the economy. One way or the other, their operations will be subjected to licensing, fees, reviews and general “pokenosing” by the relevant government agency. It will no longer be buy and bike and you are in business.

2. Who should regulate them? The NIPOST act says NIPOST should and the license to be granted by the minister overseeing NIPOST (Section 45). Is this acceptable to operators? I personally do not like it. If they do not accept, they must suggest who is in the best position...

to regulate them. Then they must approach a lawmaker (I’m available) on how to amend the NIPOST act to take away that power and to take it to the agency that WE all agree on.

3. Come up with a solution on the State Vs Fedeal issue.

In a federalism, state vs Federal will...

always be an issue. Operators must approach the court to determine who regulates it. Yes the act says NIPOST but state governments will not lie low. They need a court judgement to hold on to so when states come to enforce, they have a strong leg to stand on.

Courier services cut across state lines which puts it in the jurisdiction of the federal government. A court pronouncement will confirm this. They should not joke with this. STATES WILL STILL COME FOR THEM.

After sorting out who regulates, operators must continuously engage the regulators. Even when the regulators are laid back, they must not be laid back. They should regularly call for meetings and discussions and should always make the details public.

This will not give room for a lacuna to appear. Bad policies are usually made because there is a lacuna between REAL operators and government agencies. Do not wait until next issue. Work regularly with your regulators. Thank you.