By Dipo Olowookere
Some dispatch operators in Lagos has kicked against the high cost of registration and renewal fees by the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST).
They were on the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday to express their grievance over the issue, calling on the lawmakers to prevail on NIPOST to bring down the fees.
A spokesman for the group, Mr Jude Nwosu, said the exorbitant fees charged by the agency could chase them out of business, noting that they have contributed significantly to the growth of the economy through job creation, supported the telecommunications system, boosted e-commerce, supported the economy during COVID-19 pandemic and paid above the minimum wage.
“It is understood that NIPOST wants to sanitise the industry while making revenue.
“This revenue generation should not be at the expense of young entrepreneurs in the logistics business, most of who are in Lagos striving to make ends meet.
“The high fee will cripple a lot of us who contribute to the reduction of unemployment in the state,” Mr Nwosu informed the state’s legislative arm of government.
He, therefore, implored the parliament to intervene in the high cost of registration fee of N250,000 and yearly renewal of N100,000 which has been slammed on business owners.
“We appeal for a reduction to N50,000 and N20,000 for registration and renewal, respectively, and also the scrapping of irrelevant local government papers.
“Law enforcement agencies like the police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) should stop harassing our riders unjustly, council boys should be taken off dispatch and made to stop harassing and intimidating our riders,” Mr Nwosu pleaded on behalf of the others.
Mr Jude Idimogu, while addressing the demonstrators on behalf of the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, assured that the petition would be attended to by the leadership of the parliament.
