An excerpt of the public enlightenment and sensitization interview by 98.1, B-SIDE F.M. RADIO STATION, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE (before the enforcement activities) granted to the General Manager, Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department(CLRD) 

on monday 22nd July 2024.

 

 

"The role of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD) NIPOST is CRUCIAL in the sector.

 

The logistics industry is worth over 3 trillion naira and has the potential to generate 15% of the country's total budget.

 

Though there are four approved categories of licensees.

International.

National.

Regional

State/SPECIAL SMES with a total of seven hundred and ten (710) licensed Private Courier and Logistics Operators in Nigeria, but illegal, unregistered, and unlicensed operations abounds nationwide.

 

The role of NIPOST as the regulator is to oversee the sector nationwide.

 

To LICENSE.

To REGULATE.

To MONITOR.

 

 

NIPOST is a national infrastructure, and the federal government is committed to making the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) an affordable, last-mile delivery hub solution for goods and services.

 

Work is ongoing on the Postal Reform Bill to separate the regulatory arm of NIPOST from the operation arm as many stakeholders are clamouring.

 

Hence, the need for increased awareness and public education on the significance of the postal industry to the government and interested investors. 

 

There are challenges in the postal, express, delivery, dispatch, courier, and logistics sector in Nigeria.

These challenges are hinderances and limiting factors to uptimizing the full potential of the logistics and courier sector in Nigeria.

 

This includes

1. Poor road networks.

 

2. Infrastructural deficiencies. 

 

3. Inadequate warehousing facilities.

 

4. Vandalism.

 

5. Broaching.

 

6. Pilfering.

 

7. Damages.

 

8. Multiple taxation.

 

9. Duplication of regulatory roles.

 

10. Lack of self- regulation among private operators.

 

11. Poor compliance to the regulatory guidelines and existing extant laws, etc.

 

Therefore, constant regulatory activities and strategic upgrading of regional infrastructure are crucial for a sustainable and competitive logistics and courier ecosystem. 

 

However, some successes have been recorded.

These include 

 

1. The optimization of logistic networks.

 

2. Review of affordable prices.

 

3. Clearance of backlog of postal packets.

 

4. Imputing technology into its service.

 

5. Collaboration with other agencies and organizations to improve last mile solution.

 

For example,

NIPOST recently collaborated with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide special rates for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 

 

There is also the pilot partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Taraba and Abia states for bio-specimen collection, thereby building the nation’s health sector.

 

Finally, NIPOST is not competing with private players but is there to complement their efforts as the last mile solution on delivery.

 

NIPOST is ready to work together with Licensed Private Postal, Courier and Logistics Operators to build a logistics sector that is efficient, reliable, secure, viable, innovative, and trusted, serving the needs of business and contributing to the inclusive growth of the nation’s economy".

 

General Manager (CLRD)