Senate passes NIPOST, Medical and Dental Professions Bills

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate has passed the Nigerian Postal Service (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill, 2021, which seeks to unbundle the agency to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
Also passed during plenary on Tuesday was a bill to enact the Medical and Dental Practitioners Bill to establish the Medical and Dental Professions in Nigeria.
The passage of both bills followed the clause-by-clause consideration of two separate reports by the Senate Committees on Communications; and Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
The reports were considered after being laid by the Communications Committee Chairperson, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central); and Yahaya Oloriegbe, Chairman of the Health Committee.
Giving a highlight of the NIPOST bill, Tinubu said sub-clause (1)(a) under clause 3 which deals with the Establishment and Membership of the Governing Board of the Public Postal Operator was amended to give the Governing Board power to formulate policies and adopt strategies for the overall development of the postal sector.
She added that sub-clause (1)(b) was deleted as the Board cannot borrow or raise funds for the entity while sub-clause (1)(c) was amended to align with existing legislation.
According to the lawmaker, clause 5(2) was also inserted to specify the minimum qualifications for the appointment of the Postmaster-General.
Tinubu further said that clause 8 which deals with the Application of Pensions Act was amended to align with the Pension Act.
In addition, clause 10 which provide for the Exclusive Powers of the Public Postal Operator was amended to enable the Public Postal Operator to accredit digital or e-certificate as appropriate.
Among other amendments made to the NIPOST Act 2004, was an amendment to clause 15 which deals with National Postcode System and Technical Standards.
The clause was amended to enable the Public Postal Operator, subject to existing legislation, to enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or other similar arrangement to carry out any of its obligations.
During consideration of the report, the Senate amended sub-clause 3 to provide that, “the Minister may, with the approval of the President, at any time remove any member of the Board from office on the grounds of misconduct, conviction, infirmity or disease of the mind.”