The Nigerian populace has been advised against patronage of illegal and unlicenced courier operators whose activities pose a huge threat to the nation’s security, in addition to causing economic sabotage.
This advice came from the General Manager, of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department, CLRD, of NIPOST, Mr Gideon Oludotun Shonde at a Consultative Forum and Official engagement with stakeholders in the nation’s Courier and Logistics industry at his office in Lagos on Thursday.
Shonde decried the continued flooding of the nation’s roads by illegal courier operators and delivery drivers despite persistent nationwide clampdown operations against them.
According to Shonde, it has been established that some criminal elements hide under the business to transport illicit drums and ammunition as well as engage in kidnapping, which explains why the department is committed to sanitizing the industry.
Shonde solicited the support of the Stakeholders in ridding the industry of quacks, stressing that a public-private partnership was required to win the battle.
He informed the licensed private, express, courier, delivery, dispatch, and logistics service operators concerning the imminent enforcement operation nationwide and its dimensional approach for 2024.
The General Manager CLRD declared that in line with the 2024 enforcement operations of Section 43, NIPOST Act, Cap N127 laws of the Federation, clampdown operations would be extended to such areas including capital market operation, motor parks and garages operation, courier sheds at the airport operations and traffic lights and roads operation.
He said that, “At the end of the intellectual discussion and corporate engagement, it was agreed that the need for intensive public private partnerships and a robust collaboration between the operators and regulators can not be over emphasized.
“In the same vein, the expediency of a strong and formidable union/ association in the industry to attract the required government attention and consistent engagement between the operators and regulators with a view for increased protection and intervention in certain specified areas of operational challenges in the industry.
“Some of these include tariff/price control, healthy competitions, subsidised cost of operation by the government, etc.
“Finally, the essentials of a consistent public education and enlightenment programmes on the consequences of patronising illegal, unlicensed, and unregistered courier and logistics service providers nationwide.
“The meeting was held as the enforcement team of the CLRD stormed Maryland in Lagos Mainland and Falomo in the Island arresting some thirty-six (36) unlicensed and illegal dispatch riders with their delivery bikes confiscated.
Commenting on the clampdown operations, Shonde observed that ” They are displaying impunity and disregard for the rule of law that is prevalent amongst our people
“It is also a show of shame due to illiteracy and poor access to communication information
“Our next line of action is to deploy a dimensional approach and change of strategies”.
Some of those arrested said they could not renew their NIPOST license due to the economic hardship in the country, while others said they did not have money to properly register their outfits, as they begged the government to come to their rescue by reducing the amount for obtaining and renewing the license.
The ongoing clampdown operations on unlicensed/ illegal courier, express, delivery, dispatch, and logistics operators nationwide are in line with the statutory provisions of section 43 (1,2 and 3) NIPOST ACT, CAP 127, LFN 2004, and Regulatory Operational Guidelines 2023.
Similar enforcement activities have been successfully conducted in at least 10 states, including Abia, Rivers, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Kwara, Ondo and Katsina.
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