Just In: Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Pantami orders suspension of NIPOST new charges!
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has ordered the management of the Nigeria Postal Service to immediately suspend the new charges as regards logistics and courier services in the country.
The Internet went agog when NIPOST announced new charges for licenses and renewals for logistics companies operating within and outside the country.
However, the minister has directed for the immediate suspension of the charges which many considered Draconian.
He said via his verified twitter handle;
“Please NIPOST, our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier approved for you. Your chairman and PMG (Postmaster-General) were yesterday contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday. Best wishes!”
According to NIPOST,the new charges will see International companies like FedEx, DHL among others pay N20m for a new license and N8m annually when national companies like GIG Logistics will pay N10m for a new license and 4 million naira for renewal.
For the SMEs, which are apparently are the vast majority, the new charges will see them pay up to N250,000 for a new license and 100,000 for renewal.
The new NIPOST charges are expected to increase the cost of delivery services especially for goods purchased online.