NIPOST Checklist Towards Liberalization Of The Postal Industry- The Establishment Of Nigerian Postal And Express Commission [NPEC] By Emeka Oraetoka
Immediately Mallam Mori Baba took over the
Mantle of leadership in NIPOST, report has it that the first thing he
did was set up a committee to study and recommend the best way to
consolidate the gains recorded in the establishment, within the confines
of the Universal Postal Union [UPU] standard as regards the best
practice in the postal services globally.
This group swung into action and
identified among other things, that for NIPOST to consolidate
successfully, functions efficiently and effectively, it must conform
with Universal Postal Union’s standard; and having closely studied the
of postal outfit in countries, like the United State of America [USA],
Britain, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, and Uganda just to mention but
few, the group discovered that the Postal establishments as the National
Carriers in these countries, compete with Private Courier Service
Providers, in the spirit of world free market economy.
The study group discovered that as a
result of NIPOST not functioning in accordance with UPU’s standard, it
has not been able to reap the benefit of operating under a regulatory
body or commission. The committee noted that the duel mandate [operator
and regulator roles] of NIPOST has placed a burden on its operation as a
player in the industry, as it is saddled with additional
responsibilities of acting as a regulatory body, in the process, slowing
down its speed of operation and effectiveness. According to the findings
of this group, the dual responsibilities of being a player and a
regulator has made efficient running of NIPOST in accordance with UPU
standard rather difficult.
Closely related to the issue of being a
player, as well as a regulator in the postal industry is the issue of
persistent accusation by private courier outfits, that NIPOST is hell
bent at driving them out of market in other to dominate the industry as
monopolist, despite their shortcomings, for which they are been
monitored. Arising from this constant cry of marginalization by private
courier companies, NIPOST tended to carryout this function or regulation
from the point of apparent burden of been seen as aggressor by the
private courier operators. The result is apparent despondency in the
industry, a situation which is not in consonance with the spirit of
competitive world been encouraged by UPU.
The study group then recommended that the
management of NIPOST should take step to push for the establishment of a
regulatory body for courier services in Nigeria as with the case in
those countries earlier mentioned; which is the standard practices
worldwide as duly recommended by UPU.
Upon this recommendation, Mori Baba led
management swung into action instantly. The result is the consummation
of a draft proposal for the establishment of Nigerian Postal and Express
Commission (NPEC), and a regulatory policy frame work that will serve as
a spring-board for the commission, known as National Postal and Express
Policy [NPEP]. In producing the draft framework, NIPOST took account of
the establishment of similar bodies in those countries that have adopted
the UPU policy on postal commission. This has enabled the management of
NIPOST to come out with standard documents, according to information.
NIPOST intend to send these documents to
the Presidency through the federal ministry of Information and
Communication, to be forwarded to the National Assembly, as an executive
bill, seeking for an act to establish a regulatory commission for Postal
Services in Nigeria. The regulatory body will be in the mould of
National Communication Commission (NCC), and Energy Regulatory
Commission, and to be anchored on National Postal and Express Policy [NPEP],
which will serve as a platform for the commissions take off.
It has been suggested that the area of
convergence as a form of reform of the present administration may not
work-out well for National Communication Commission (NCC) and the
proposed Nigerian Postal and Express Commission (NPEC) according to
experts; here, the antecedents that lead to the separation of NIPOST
from NITEL in the year 1985 could easily be referenced to serve as a
guide. Before the separation then, it was clearly seen that the two
could not conveniently converge without affecting each other’s
efficiencies. It was clearly seen that there was significantly
government attention to NITEL than NIPOST, hence the relegation of
NIPOST.
Further according to pundits, even if
convergence is thought of, it will be better offered after the proposed
Commission would have been well rooted, with all necessary structures
established. This is particularly so when strictly viewed from the
position that the two bodies, NCC and the proposed Commission would be
subjected to the rules and guidelines of their respective world
affiliate bodies.
It is expected that the Commission, when
fully operational will provide a level playing ground for the National
Carrier (NIPOST) and other private courier services in the country. The
Commission will then focus on bring out policies for all players in the
industry as a whole. It is also expected that when the Commission comes
on stream, the postal industry will be better sanitized for overall
efficiency and effectiveness. The dual mandates of NIPOST would have
been removed in the process, leaving it as just a player in the
industry; which is the standard practice in other countries affiliated
to Universal Postal Union (UPU).
With the coming on stream of NPEC, the
reform effort of this administration would have registered yet another
milestone. This is because progressive ideas have since the inception of
President Obasanjo’s Administration trail the polity. For instance, the
de-regulation of the telecommunication sector has brought a lot of
improvement in the sector in terms of efficient communication systems
etc. it has also brought out efficient and effective regulatory
mechanism, hitherto lacking in the industry.
Clearly then, the National Postal and
Express Commission (NPEC) and its regulatory policy platform, known as,
National Postal and Express Policy (NPEP), are progressive ideas whose
time has come. It has clearly shown that NIPOST management is aware of
the huge responsibility it must face in the ever growing world of free
market economy, with clearly defined strategy and focus; and this may
have informed its present stand and efforts as regards NPEC.
Emeka Oraetoka
Information management consultant
Contributed this portion from Abuja
Email:
oramekllis@lycos.com
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