The Federal Government has disowned the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) committee charged with the responsibility of appointing agents to collect stamp duty on its behalf.
Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, in a statement yesterday said NIPOST has not been authorized to appoint new agents to collect stamp duty for the government.
“The Minister of Communication has received information that a committee purportedly raised by the acting Post-Master General has commenced the process of appointing agents to collect stamp duty on behalf of the Nigeria Postal Service and, by implication, on behalf of the Federal Government.
“The minister hereby serves this warning that NIPOST has not been authorized to appoint new agents in respect of collection of Stamp Duty,” a statement issued yesterday by his Chief of Staff Adeyanju Binuyo, said.
“It is therefore expedient to thread with caution and ensure that all issues bordering on the administration of the stamp duty by NIPOST are done in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to due process, transparency and accountability,” it read.
It said the process has been suspended until government appoints a new Post-Master General in due course.
The Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government has projected an accrual in excess of N2.5trillion from payment of stamp duties from the financial services industry as outlined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Source: Daily Trust