The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has reclaimed the collection of stamp duty charges from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
This development brings to an end over 3 years of dispute and controversy between the 2 federal agencies on who should rightfully collect the stamp duty on behalf of the Federal Government.
This disclosure was made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami while speaking at the launch of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary Commemorative Postage Stamps held at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora Abuja on Thursday.
While commending 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, Pantami 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.
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What the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy is saying
Pantami in his statement said, “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 the 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,” he said.
The minister said NIPOST would be unbundled into 3 companies to boost its operations, adding that there are plans by the Federal Executive Council to approve the renovation and rehabilitation of all its dilapidated offices across Nigeria.
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What you should know
- It can be recalled the disagreement between NIPOST and the FIRS over who should control the collection of stamp duty became public after the latter reacted to claims by NIPOST that it is operating an illegal stamp duty account.
- NIPOST, however, denied the accusation saying that the statement is false and was made to misinform and mislead members of the public.
- Pantami had earlier thrown his weight behind NIPOST, when he faulted the decision of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to collect stamp duty which he insisted is the sole responsibility of NIPOST.
- The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris had earlier stated that the issues between NIPOST and FIRS, related to stamp duties have not been completely settled and that the AGF’s office will broker peace between the two organizations.
