By Blessing Emmanuel, Abuja
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has revealed that over 600 unlicensed courier operators have been arrested acorss 14 states.
The agency made this known in a statement announcing the resulting of clampdown on unlicensed courier operators, logistics operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The General Manager of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD), Mr. Gideon Oludotun Shonde on behalf of the Post Master General, Engr. Tola Odeyemi noted that the clampdown is a continued effort to curb illegal activities within the courier and logistics industry.
Speaking, Mr Shonde said, “After the clampdown in May, we are back again because the changes we’re expecting are not yet exponential. How I wish that everybody would comply in a day, but as you can see, it takes consistent effort to actually get the desired result. Until there’s full compliance, we have to come back to the drawing board, restrategize, and keep doing what brings results. The enforcement activities we carried out previously did yield results.”
“Since the clampdown began, over six hundred unlicensed couriers and logistics operators have been apprehended and prosecuted across various states including Abia, Rivers, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Katsina, Ondo, Kwara, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.” Shonde noted.
The NIPOST GM further highlighted a new strategy adopted by the enforcement team: targeting corporate offices, airports, seaports, garages and car parks.
“Criminality and illegality go on in almost every sphere of the society. So we decided to adopt this corporate enforcement strategy. We follow due process by locking up the offices with our evidence and information. We request their customer records, weighing scales, shipments, and assets such as delivery bikes. We even catch them while they are processing the weighbill and seize the goods.”
“This clampdown is part of a quarterly exercise to ensure consistency. Our office receives daily reports of stolen or damaged goods, and there is also the issue of online scamming,” He explained.
He further reiterated the importance of obtaining the necessary operating licenses, which are available in four categories: State/Special SMEs, Regional, National, and International. He also mentioned the flexible payment plans for those who cannot afford to pay for the licenses upfront and special considerations for the Independent/Soldiers Scheme.
The statement furthe disclosed that the enforcement team, approved by the Postmaster General of the Federation/CEO, Engr. Tola Odeyemi, includes officials from the CLRD, armed mobile police officers, men of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), and members of the press.
