From: FRED ITUA, Abuja
The Senate, on Wednesday, commenced moves to repeal the Nigerian Postal Service Act 2004.
Leading the debate on the bill, Sen. Gilbert Nnaji, noted that “the Nigerian Postal Bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework for the Nigerian Postal Industry, by creating an effective, impartial and independent regulatory authority. It is proposed as a catalyst to encourage local and foreign investment in the Nigerian Postal Industry, particularly given the innovative services and practices in the industry in recent times. And above all, it seeks to engender international best practices.”
He stressed that “it is not an amendment, but a repeal of the existing NIPOST Act to re-enact a new legislation to cater for the far reaching reforms in the postal industry” which would lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Postal Services Commission.
On the general principles of the bill, Nnaji who is the Chairman of Committee on Communications, argued that “the Bill is proposed as a catalyst to facilitate the reform of the postal industry. It provides for a governing Board and a Commission to formulate postal industry policy with clear objectives on role of the postal sector in the national economy. The Bill provides for the Staff of the Commission to be headed by a Director-General in addition to other key personnel.
Details later…