The Nigerian Postal Service has wielded the big stick against operators of illegal courier services, to sanitise the industry.
The General Manager, Courier Regulatory Department of NIPOST, Andrew Ebiloma, during the clampdown on the illegal operators in Lagos, said they had impacted negatively on the growth of registered businesses and government’s revenue.
According to Ebiloma, the Federal Government’s policy on the Ease of Doing Business was for courier businesses to get their licences and have regulatory backing for operation, adding that the sector is a major driver of the economy.
Ebiloma said, “We get a report of misplaced parcels, but we can’t track the delivery if it is not from a registered firm. Many people think they can do a brisk business. Those that NIPOST shut down today had been engaging in illegal operations. This is to warn others and make them regularise their papers.
“Government is losing millions to illegal operators. So, anyone caught would be made to face the full process of the law. We have valid reasons to shut down these firms today because we have enough evidence against them.”
The licence for national service is N2m. If in a year, 50 firms decide not to get their licence, that’s a huge loss to the government already, he added.
The firms that came under the hammer of NIPOST include Efex Express Limited, Westwood Courier Service and Easy Errand Courier Service.
