NIPOST Mail Network Collapses Nationwide As Contractors Withdraw Vehicles
Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is currently experiencing a nationwide collapse in distributing mails, parcels and cargo as their private partners withdraw operational vehicles over non-payment for services rendered over many months.
The postal service relies on the partnership with about 10 private partners who provide trucks for the daily distribution of mail and parcels to all parts of Nigeria. In an attempt to get NIPOST management to clear arrears of payments for services which have run into four months, the mail and parcel haulers embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday morning. It was learnt that the notice issued to the organisation over the outstanding charges expired Sunday night with no attempt made by the management to convince the operators not to withdraw their vehicles which constitute a vital link in the discharge of NIPOST’s core mandate of efficient and timely mail movement across the country. Mrs. Lorretto Nwakanma who is NIPOST Chief Operating Officer had no comment when she was contacted. However, she directed all enquiries to the Corporate Communications Manager, who she later assured would revert with information on the development. Also contacted on phone, the General Manager of NIPOST’s Mail Route Network, Mr. Yalpilami, confirmed that the 10 transport companies collaborating with the organisation in the mail movement partnership, commenced a nationwide strike Monday, but declined further comments. Of course, they have withdrawn their services, but that is all I can tell you. To get any further information, you have to contact our headquarters in Abuja. I am not in a position to give you the information you are asking for,” Yalpilami said.
According to some concerned observers, this nationwide collapse would be injurious to business transactions and the economy if not addressed swiftly. A source at the NIPOST Shomolu zonal office informed our reporter that the partnership with the haulers would be lapsing in a few weeks. He added that refusal to pay the four-month arrears might be the management’s subtle way of signaling to the present private partners that their contracts might not be renewed in order to pave way for fresh logistics companies.
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