Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami has ordered the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to suspend its increase of licence fee, Igbere TV reports.
Mr Pantami tweeted his directives on Saturday following outrage over NIPOST’s decision amid economic effects of the coronavirus.
He wrote: “Pls @NipostNgn, our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier APPROVED for you. Your Chair and PMG were YESTERDAY contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday. Best wishes!
“@NipostNgn, d power of regulation of NIPOST lies with the Minister. Any change of fee must be specific & be approved by him before implementation. I know the economic challenges of NIPOST. However, looking at the economic hardship of our citizens, we need to suspend any move.”
Nigerians reacted with distaste over the increase which will ultimately raise cost of courier and logistics services and cost of online purchases and delivered goods.
According to the new charges by NIPOST, companies which provide international courier services like DHL, UPS and FEDEX, are expected to pay N20 million for a new licence and N8 million annually while those offering national services are expected to pay N10 million for licence and N4 million yearly for renewal.
Logistics companies operating within regions are expected to pay N5 million for licence and N2 million annually.
For firms operating within states, the cost of procuring a licence is N2 million while renewal costs N800,000.
Courier firms that operate within municipalities are to pay N1 million for licence and N400,000 annually.
For Small and Medium Enterprises, the licence is N250,000 while the annual renewal of the licence is N100,000.
The SME category is for small courier firms which have not more than five delivery vehicles.
It was learnt that the new charges imposed by NIPOST were part of an attempt to increase its revenue and sanitise the system as many firms running courier services are not registered with the body.
