FAAN, NIPOST Declare War on Mysterious Courier Firms

Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it is working with relevant security agencies to prevent illegal courier operators from gaining grounds at the nation’s airports.

Investigations revealed that a number of mushroom companies are suspected conduit for unethical services including price undercutting; dumping of goods, defrauding of customers and low tariff regimes.

Some of the illegal companies are also engaged by gun runners and drug peddlers to move their prohibited wares to and from different destinations.

Mr. Yakubu Dati, general manager, Corporate Affairs at FAAN said, the Authority had entered into agreement with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) in view to curb the activities of unpermitted or unlicensed forwarders /agents who might function as courier operators at the airports.

He said that FAAN is not leaving any stone unturned in the fight against illegalities at the airports.

“We are not aware that illegal courier operators are operating at the airport. However, we are proactive with measure to keep them off the airports through understanding FAAN has with security agencies at the airports including the ICPC,” he said telephone.  

Dati added that FAAN’s surveillance team will nail whoever is at the airport to defraud people through illegal courier operations.

Only recently, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) through its regulatory arm shutdown operations of 10 courier companies, allegedly rendering services without appropriate licencing by NIPOST. ‎

Dr. Simon Emeje, senior assistant post-master general of NIPOST and head of CRD, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that CRD has e opened a complaint desk at the airport to harness public views on the activities of the illegal operators.

“We are aware about illegal courier operators causing havoc in the system. We have set up a help-desk at the airport too. Although we have not received reports from the public at the airports, but we did that in anticipation that the illegal operators whom we have shutdown their operations at other places might be looking for other avenues to perpetuate their illegal acts.

“Same time, NIPOST needs more tools to work with, especially, the expected postal reforms Bill will aid in addressing the challenges.