NIPOST Reclaims Collection Of Stamp Duty Charges From FIRS

The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has reclaimed the collection
of stamp duty charges from the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa
Pantami announced on Thursday.

The development brought to an end more than three years of
controversy and acrimony over the claims of ownership of stamp duty
collections in the country between the two Federal Agencies.

Pantami who broke the news commended President Muhammadu Buhari,
and the leadership of the National Assembly, especially the Senate
and House Committees on Communications and Digital Economy for
their interventions on the matter.

He also praised the management of NIPOST and other stakeholders
for their resilience, saying it was heartwarming that critical
stakeholders ensured that justice was done on the issue.

Pantami made the remarks at the launch of Nigeria’s 60th
Independence Anniversary Commemorative Postage Stamps held at the
Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja.

“Our efforts regarding the issue of stamp duty collection with
other government Institutions have yielded positive results. NIPOST
has been recognised as a government agency with statutory and
historical authority to be the producer of stamps and recognised
for collection of stamp duties for validation of financial
transactions in the country.

“We appreciate Mr. President for listening to our complaints,
and we extend our gratitude to him and the Senate and House
Committees for their intervention in ensuring that justice was
done,” Dr Pantami said.

The Minister said challenges of regulation; policy and financing
confronting NIPOST over the years are being addressed with a view
to place the Agency on a platform that would enable it generate
revenue for the Federal Government.

He said NIPOST would be unbundled into three companies to boost
its operations, while efforts are on the pipeline for Federal
Executive Council to approve the renovation and rehabilitation of
all its dilapidated offices across Nigeria.

The Minister noted that 97 percent of the rules making
procedures of NIPOST is being done to facilitate robust debates on
the Acts establishing the Agency, asserting that this was being
done to ensure robust contributions from stakeholders anytime there
is need for subsidiary legislation to enhance the operation of the
Agency.

In her remark, the Chairman of NIPOST board, Hajiya Maimuna
Abubakar said NIPOST by presentation of the anniversary stamps has
again shown that it would continue to play its roles in advancing
the rich culture and historical heritage of the country.

Hajiya Abubakar said:” The Postal Industry from time immemorial
has fostered the use of postage stamp as a veritable medium for
nurturing of culture.

“Nigeria as a country is amply blessed with historical evidence
of great works of arts, cultural monuments and features that help
in the transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to
another.

“Many of such have been reflected on Nigerian postal stamps,
most especially in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria. A strong
Nigeria must be a cultural Nigeria and NIPOST has a role to play in
advancing this by marking events such as this one.”

The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has reclaimed the collection
of stamp duty charges from the Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa
Pantami announced on Thursday.

The development brought to an end more than three years of
controversy and acrimony over the claims of ownership of stamp duty
collections in the country between the two Federal Agencies.

Pantami who broke the news commended President Muhammadu Buhari,
and the leadership of the National Assembly, especially the Senate
and House Committees on Communications and Digital Economy for
their interventions on the matter.

He also praised the management of NIPOST and other stakeholders
for their resilience, saying it was heartwarming that critical
stakeholders ensured that justice was done on the issue.

Pantami made the remarks at the launch of Nigeria’s 60th
Independence Anniversary Commemorative Postage Stamps held at the
Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja.

“Our efforts regarding the issue of stamp duty collection with
other government Institutions have yielded positive results. NIPOST
has been recognised as a government agency with statutory and
historical authority to be the producer of stamps and recognised
for collection of stamp duties for validation of financial
transactions in the country.

“We appreciate Mr. President for listening to our complaints,
and we extend our gratitude to him and the Senate and House
Committees for their intervention in ensuring that justice was
done,” Dr Pantami said.

The Minister said challenges of regulation; policy and financing
confronting NIPOST over the years are being addressed with a view
to place the Agency on a platform that would enable it generate
revenue for the Federal Government.

He said NIPOST would be unbundled into three companies to boost
its operations, while efforts are on the pipeline for Federal
Executive Council to approve the renovation and rehabilitation of
all its dilapidated offices across Nigeria.

The Minister noted that 97 percent of the rules making
procedures of NIPOST is being done to facilitate robust debates on
the Acts establishing the Agency, asserting that this was being
done to ensure robust contributions from stakeholders anytime there
is need for subsidiary legislation to enhance the operation of the
Agency.

In her remark, the Chairman of NIPOST board, Hajiya Maimuna
Abubakar said NIPOST by presentation of the anniversary stamps has
again shown that it would continue to play its roles in advancing
the rich culture and historical heritage of the country.

Hajiya Abubakar said:” The Postal Industry from time immemorial
has fostered the use of postage stamp as a veritable medium for
nurturing of culture.

“Nigeria as a country is amply blessed with historical evidence
of great works of arts, cultural monuments and features that help
in the transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to
another.

“Many of such have been reflected on Nigerian postal stamps,
most especially in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria. A strong
Nigeria must be a cultural Nigeria and NIPOST has a role to play in
advancing this by marking events such as this one.”