By Jethro Ibileke
The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has raided illegal and unlicensed courier and logistic operators in Benin, Edo state.
The postal agency sealed operational premises of five premises and seized seven delivery motorcycles belonging to the operators in the process.
The clampdown exercise was conducted by NIPOST’s General Manager in charge of Courier and Logistic Department, Gideon Shode.
He noted that the exercise was to get rid of quacks, illegal, unethical and unlicensed courier and logistic operators in the state.
Shode disclosed that the clampdown followed approval by the Postmaster-General of the Federation/CEO, Engr. Tola Odeyemi, against unlicensed/unregistered/illegal Courier, Express, Delivery, Dispatch and Logistics Operators nationwide as stipulated in the statutory provisions of section 43 (1,2 and 3) NIPOST ACT, CAP 127, LFN 2004 and Regulatory Operational Guidelines 2024.
According to him, “The enforcement was to ensure a level playing field and conducive environment for genuine operators. Five illegal courier offices were sealed while seven delivery motorcycle were seize during the enforcement.”
Shode decried what he described as proliferation of postal, express, courier, and logistics industry and has been infiltrated with so many unlicensed/illegal courier and logistics operators with reckless abandonment for ethical standard and professional conduct.
This is even as he raised concern over the issue of public safety and security threats due to the carriage of illicit drugs and prohibited items like small arms and ammunition, guns, gold, monies, obscene items, etc.
He further explained that the illegal operators violate the NIPOST Act which says that before you operate courier service, you must get a license from the Postmaster-General of the Federation.
“There exist unethical sharp practices, such as price undercutting, pilfering, broaching, damages, loss and dumping of customers items, poaching and subletting of operating licenses with mountain of public complaints about Customer’s being duped or obtaining money from them under false pretenses, no traceable office address nor registered brand name.
“So, the enforcement is necessary to sanitize the sectors of bad eggs, as some of the couriers and logistic operators are into illegal activities such as drugs and arms delivering among other infractions.
“Any one who violates this provision should be arrested and prosecuted from operating illegally.It is a crime against the state,” he said.
Shode however advised the people who are interested in courier business to follow due process by getting operating license from NIPOST.