Nigeria Senate on Tuesday passed into law a bill to unbundle Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) repeal and re-enactment bill, 2021.
The intent of the bill was to unbundle activities of NIPOST and reposition it for effective and greater service delivery to Nigerians and also to co form with the technological trends.
The passage followed the report submitted to the red Chambers by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications which was Chaired by Senator Oluremi Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Senator Tinubu had in her presentation maintained that sub-clause (1)(a) under clause 3 that deals on membership of the governing board of the NIPOST was amended to empower the board to formulate policies for development of postal sector.
The deletion of the said clause would estopped the board of NIPOST from borrowing or raising funds for the institution, while sub-clause (1)(c) was amended to align with current legislation.
The new law in clause 5(2)
specify minimum qualifications for appointment of the Postmaster-General.
Tinubu noted that clause 8v was amended to align with the Pension Act.
Other amendments made to the NIPOST Act 2004, was amendment to clause 15 which deals with National Postcode System and Technical Standards.
The clause was amended to enable the public postal operator, subject to existing legislation, to enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or similar partnership to execute any of its mandate.
Senate amended sub-clause 3 to provide that, “the Minister may, with the approval of the President, at any time remove any member of the Board from office on the grounds of misconduct, conviction, infirmity or disease of the mind.”
It also amended clause 5(1) to make the appointment of the Postmaster General the exclusive prerogative of the President as against the recommendation of the Minister.
Senate also received report of the Committee on Public Accounts on the Annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the federation for the year ended 31st December, 2015.
The report was laid at plenary by the Committee’s Chairman of the Committee Sen. Matthew Urhoghide (PDP- Edo).
