By Our Reporter
The Senate has commenced moves to unbundle the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) with the consideration of a bill to repeal and re-enact the Nigerian Postal Service Act 2004.
A ststement by the Senate Media Office said the bill which scaled second reading on Tuesday was sponsored by Oluremi Tinubu.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Mrs Tinubu said the piece of legislation seeks a reform of the Postal Industry and to make Comprehensive Provisions for the Development and Regulation of Postal Services in Nigeria.
Tinubu said the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) which dates as far back as 1852, evolved from an exigency of the colonial administration to a Collection Office of the United Kingdom and eventually, to the NIPOST.
She recalled that as at 1st of October, 1960, when Nigeria gained independence from colonial rule, there existed one hundred and seventy-six (176) Post Offices, 10 Sub-Post Offices and 1000 Postal Agencies.
Mrs Tinubu, however, noted that the agency currently has over nine hundred and fifty five (955) post offices and more than three thousand (3,000) Postal Agencies in the thirty-six States of the Federation.
The lawmaker observed that in view of existing realities, it had become imperative for the NIPOST Act to be reviewed to guarantee improved efficiency and service.
“NIPOST has been touted as having so much potential not only for revenue generation but also for impacting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“However, the Agency’s struggles are well known. With its apparent inefficiencies, advancement in technology and the introduction of electronic mail there has been a decline in demand for traditional postal services, thus necessitating a reform in the Agency mode of operation.