FG To Unveil NIPOST Unbundling Policies

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa
Pantami, said the Federal Government would soon unveil policies to
unbundle the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST).

Pantami stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling
ceremony of NIPOST revenue stamp.

The Minister described NIPOST as one of the most important
institutions of government, adding that policies that would
transform its operations and make it innovative would soon be
unveiled.

“We have so many policies of transforming NIPOST in the pipeline
and part of it will unbundle NIPOST.

“We also have the ACT of NIPOST going into amendment.

“We have a plan with a property and development company, the
company will bring together all the properties of NIPOST, develop
them and make sure that the government generates revenue from
them.

“All generated revenue will go into developing sectors like
health, education, agriculture, security and other social
developments,’’ he said.

He disclosed that other aspects of NIPOST unbundling to take
place before the end of the year include NIPOST transport and
logistics, courier services and microfinance bank.

Pantami who was hopeful of NIPOST becoming a world-class outfit
praised stakeholders for their unrelenting efforts in remodelling
and recording modest achievements recently.

The Postmaster-General (PMG) of NIPOST, Dr Ismail Adewusi,
earlier stated that over the years, Nigeria’s history had been
documented through stamps.

“Through stamps, NIPOST has documented Nigeria’s history,
educating and preserving our national heritage among others.

“Stamps have served as objects of visual communication and
dependable recorder of events for prosperity, ” he said.

Going down memory lane, the PMG said revenue stamps were first
issued when the Niger coast and southern Nigerian protectorates
merged into the colony and protectorate of Nigeria in 1938.

According to him, after the time of the merger, series of rare
revenue stamps were produced.

However, he urged the public to avail themselves of the new
revenue stamps for the authentication and validation of documents
and denotation of duties or fees.

“We have about 25 million copies of the stamp unveiled today for
sale at the rate of N50 each and it is available for sale in all
our postal outfits nationwide.

“We are hopeful it will be sold out in the next two weeks and
then we commence reproduction,’’ he said.

In her remarks, the chairman, NIPOST Governing Board, Maimuna
Abubakar, said the unveiling of stamps marked a milestone in the
effort towards institutionalising a culture of excellence in NIPOST
public service delivery.

According to her, NIPOST is back to its legal position of
administration of stamps and effectively contributing to the
socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“We are thankful with the signing into law of the amended
Finance Act 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“There is no need overstating the obvious that NIPOST stamps
have been unquestionably used since time immemorial as the only
instrument for denoting duty and today’s event is a testament.

“I strongly believe that NIPOST can thrive on revenue
generation, considering the massive network, infrastructure and
opportunities around it,’’ she said. (NAN)

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa
Pantami, said the Federal Government would soon unveil policies to
unbundle the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST).

Pantami stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling
ceremony of NIPOST revenue stamp.

The Minister described NIPOST as one of the most important
institutions of government, adding that policies that would
transform its operations and make it innovative would soon be
unveiled.

“We have so many policies of transforming NIPOST in the pipeline
and part of it will unbundle NIPOST.

“We also have the ACT of NIPOST going into amendment.

“We have a plan with a property and development company, the
company will bring together all the properties of NIPOST, develop
them and make sure that the government generates revenue from
them.

“All generated revenue will go into developing sectors like
health, education, agriculture, security and other social
developments,’’ he said.

He disclosed that other aspects of NIPOST unbundling to take
place before the end of the year include NIPOST transport and
logistics, courier services and microfinance bank.

Pantami who was hopeful of NIPOST becoming a world-class outfit
praised stakeholders for their unrelenting efforts in remodelling
and recording modest achievements recently.

The Postmaster-General (PMG) of NIPOST, Dr Ismail Adewusi,
earlier stated that over the years, Nigeria’s history had been
documented through stamps.

“Through stamps, NIPOST has documented Nigeria’s history,
educating and preserving our national heritage among others.

“Stamps have served as objects of visual communication and
dependable recorder of events for prosperity, ” he said.

Going down memory lane, the PMG said revenue stamps were first
issued when the Niger coast and southern Nigerian protectorates
merged into the colony and protectorate of Nigeria in 1938.

According to him, after the time of the merger, series of rare
revenue stamps were produced.

However, he urged the public to avail themselves of the new
revenue stamps for the authentication and validation of documents
and denotation of duties or fees.

“We have about 25 million copies of the stamp unveiled today for
sale at the rate of N50 each and it is available for sale in all
our postal outfits nationwide.

“We are hopeful it will be sold out in the next two weeks and
then we commence reproduction,’’ he said.

In her remarks, the chairman, NIPOST Governing Board, Maimuna
Abubakar, said the unveiling of stamps marked a milestone in the
effort towards institutionalising a culture of excellence in NIPOST
public service delivery.

According to her, NIPOST is back to its legal position of
administration of stamps and effectively contributing to the
socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“We are thankful with the signing into law of the amended
Finance Act 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“There is no need overstating the obvious that NIPOST stamps
have been unquestionably used since time immemorial as the only
instrument for denoting duty and today’s event is a testament.

“I strongly believe that NIPOST can thrive on revenue
generation, considering the massive network, infrastructure and
opportunities around it,’’ she said. (NAN)