The Courier Regulatory Department of Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has stepped up its fight against illegal operators, as a way of restoring integrity and standards in the industry and has revoked licenses of 15 operating for being out of tune with regulations and standards.
Similarly, the regulator has vowed to ensure the unregistered courier operators fall under the heavy hammer of the law at the expiration of September 30, 2013 deadline.
Dr. Simon Emeje, senior assistant postmaster general and head of CRD declared the CRD’s decisions while chatting with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday in lieu of a clamp down on Efosa Empress Services Limited.
On the revocation of licences of 15 courier firms, he said: “The reason we are doing this revocation is that they have lost touch with our regulations. Many of them have not shown face in the last three to four years. If some of them are operating behind, they will definitely not be operating well.
“We have considered them a thing of risk for the public to continue doing business with them. Anybody who has lost touch with what is going on-in terms of regulations and standards, will of course not offer good services to the public. We do not want people run into them, patronizing them and complain of losses.
“The companies include: Al-Dawood Agency, A.M Courier, Alternative to Air Cargo Express Services, Parcel Force, IAT Courier Service, Leader Courier, Rich Crystal Courier, Business Mail Express and Dawn Courier Services.
“Others are Cleverland & Margates Limited, Delivery Networks Limited, Direct Messages & Service, EDS Express, Funeco Links Transport and Courier Services and Global Parcel Services. The licences of the 15 companies are hereby revoked and we advice the public not to patronize them wherever they are located in the country.
“Lastly, we want to use this medium to announce a development. We have found in the industry that many corporate bodies have bought moto-bikes, delivery items/parcels to their customers or clients as the case maybe without courier licences.
“And we all are aware that courier service is a timely, sensitive, a door-to-door service. By our law and regulations, no corporate body is expected to undertake a delivery of any item for a fee or commission. Any company that does that is doing it illegally”.
He cautioned that any company that wants to continue in such delivery should either come and obtain licence from the CRD of NIPOST or contract the service to registered courier firms.
“We are extending the notice to September 30, 2013. After that date, any company found delivering parcels or items to clients or customers without obtaining licences, we shall be forced to confiscate the motor-bike or sanction such company. We expect that all courier companies should comply,” Emeje said.