The postmaster-general of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), Dr. Ismail Adewusi, has approached the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative support to enhance courier regulatory role in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in his office at Alausa, Ikeja, Adewusi sought the support of the House for the licensing of motorcycles used for courier businesses, saying legislation in that regard would help ease the task before it especially as it relates to the registration of dispatch riders, issuance of identity cards, and tracking locations.
The PMG also sought the collaboration of the house in the area of training arrangements for dispatch/delivery motorcyclists in Lagos State and the use of the ‘Address Verification Solution’ (AVS), an idea of NIPOST aimed at tackling insecurity and crime in the country.
Adewusi, who said he was proud to be associated with Lagos as a result of the successes recorded by the state, commended Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their roles towards the growth and development of the state.
Adewusi, a former finance commissioner in Lagos, however, lamented that internet technology had altered the operational efficiency of the postal services across the world, but added that this had not deterred his team at NIPOST. “We have started the process of reform which is culminating in the unbundling of the Nigerian Postal Service to now have a property company, a logistics and transport company, and a micro finance bank. We have started this process and I believe that by the time I conclude my five-year tenure, we would have succeeded,” he said.
In his response, Obasa promised that the house would collaborate with any organization that aims to assist the state with the ease of doing business.
“I want to assure you that Lagos is always ready to collaborate with any institution that is willing to work with us for the progress of the state. This house of assembly is ready to work with you. The house is always ready to support with legislation and resolutions to enhance the ease of doing business in the state,” he said.
The speaker expressed optimism that NIPOST would succeed especially with the recent amendment to law with the result being that the organization now has the opportunity of a public/private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“I commend the Senate, particularly the chairman, committee on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for a good job done in amending the NIPOST law,” he said and urged NIPOST to take advantage of the amendments to revolutionize the organization’s mode of operations.
Noting that Nigerians now devise various means of getting goods and services to their targets including using commercial bus drivers, the speaker said he looked forward to that period when people’s interests in NIPOST would be rekindled like it was in the past.
