The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the National Assembly to halt the progression of the Nigeria Postal Commission Bill currently before it as it might jeopardise about N300 billion investments in courier services business.

According to Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General of LCCI, in a statement, “The passage of the bill in its current form will put over 100,000 jobs in the courier sector at risk and will as well put over N300 billion investments in courier services business in jeopardy. This would further worsen the risk rating of Nigeria and the country is already grappling with enormous perception problems by investors,” he said.

Yusuf said the bill was a negation of the Ease of Doing Business agenda and the fundamental principles of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government.

“Regrettably, the bill has been passed by the Senate, awaiting concurrence by the House of Representatives. We appeal that the progression of the bill be halted and the hurtful provisions expunged,” he said.

According to him, the chamber is worried about the provision of imposition of an annual levy of 2.5 per cent on the turnover of courier companies to be paid to the proposed Postal Services Commission.

He said, “this will impose considerable burden on courier companies and it is outrageous, having regard to the numerous taxes and levies already being paid by the courier companies. These include the company tax of 30 per cent, VAT, education tax, airport charges, FAAN charges, several taxes imposed by the states, local government charges and signage fees of various states.”

Yusuf also expressed concern over the power conferred on the proposed postal services commission to fix rates for courier services.

The DG further expressed worries over the monopoly privilege conferred on the Nigerian Postal Service for delivery of items weighing 1 kilogram and below.

“This would amount to an over regulation which should not happen. Courier service is not a social service. It is a business which should allow for each player to design its business model for survival and sustainability. The best way to protect consumers is to ensure a virile competitive environment among service providers, not by fixing rates,” he said.

He added that rate fixing for courier companies was not only counterproductive but would stifle investment in the sector and give very adverse signals to potential investors in the economy.

According to him, monopoly story of the defunct NITEL is instructive and dictates that such a legislation that seeks to confer monopoly privilege should not see the light of day.

He noted that no sector of the economy was subjected to such an arduous regulatory provision and requested that the bill be urgently reviewed in the interest of economic progress and citizen’s welfare. (NAN)