Distribution of mails, parcels and cargo by the Nigeria Postal service (NIPOST) has been paralysed nationwide, following the withdrawal of operational vehicles by the agency’s private operator-partners over non-payment for services rendered over many months.

NIPOST relies entirely on the collaboration with no fewer than ten private-sector partners who provide built-up trucks needed for the daily the distribution of mail and parcels to all parts of the country.

However, the mail and parcel haulers embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday morning following fruitless attempts to get NIPOST Management to clear the arrears of payments for services which had enjoyed over four months.

It was learnt that the notice issued to the Management of the organisation over the outstanding charges expired on 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 the core mandate of efficient and timely mail movement across the country

At the Shomolu zonal mail distribution hub this morning, some of the trucks painted in the organisation’s official colours were parked on the premises with no trucking-related activity going on.

The operators could not be reached for their comments as of the time going to press.

But, when contacted on phone on Monday afternoon, NIPOST Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Lorretto Nwakanma, could not volunteer any comment, but rather referred the caller to the Corporate Communications Manager, whom 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 ten transport companies collaborating with the organisation in the mail movement partnership, commenced a nationwide strike on 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“Of course, they have withdrawn their services, but that is all I can tell you.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 told our correspondent on Monday afternoon in Lagos.

Some concerned observers who reacted to the collapse of the nationwide mail route network following the action of the private logistics companies, spoke of injurious consequences on business transactions and the economy generally.

A source at the NIPOST Shomolu zonal office informed our correspondent 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 contractors.

“It might be the new management’s subtle way frustrating the private operators to quit voluntarily. I am aware that on a daily basis, they carry full loads of cargo to various destinations at their own costs.

“How can you say there is no money to pay them for four months when the network is fully busy always?” he stated, even as he hinted of the plan to resort to the use “motor park” commercial transporters to break the present deadlock, if it persists. (The Sun)

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