The Nigerian Postal Service has insisted that it has the statutory powers to print, mint, produce, retail, and provide adhesive Postage Stamps.
In a statement signed by its management, the service faulted the circular by the Federal Inland Revenue Service stripping it of such power, adding that it has legal contradictions.
The FIRS in the circular had stated that it operates a portal for automated Stamp Duties collection, where all stamp duties paying citizens, government agencies, institutions, private organisations, including banks, should log into and pay stamp duties.
According to the statement by NIPOST: “The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) wishes to draw the attention of the General Public to the aforementioned circular issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service and hereby inform the Public that the Nigerian Postal Service has observed several legal contradictions contained in the Finance Act 2019, the basis of the Circular.
“We however, wish to allay the concerns of the General Public that NIPOST has taken steps to ensure that the legal contradictions are addressed by the appropriate authorities.
“The statutory powers of NIPOST to print, mint, produce, retail, and provide adhesive Postage Stamps for the use of Nigerians to comply with the Stamping Protocol remains intact.”