‘There’s No Going Back On CTN Implementation’ – Oyetola

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) has reinstated the resolve of the federal government to actualize the commencement of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) initiative, as an important driver to trade facilitation, safety and security.

The Honourable Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, while speaking last Thursday in Lagos at an interactive session with members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME), signpost a number of other interrelated initiatives being pursued by the current administration to recreate a rebound in the nation’s marine and blue economy.

Alongside the implementation of CTN, Oyetola listed other key components required to achieve a comprehensive growth outlook to include the deployment of cargo scanners to improve transparency at the ports; deploy Vessel Tracking System; E-Regulatory Process Portal; International Cargo Tracking Note and the Truck Call-Up System.

“Over the past year, the Ministry has taken deliberate steps to strengthen the regulatory, legal, institutional and policy frameworks for the management and development of the sector. The National Policy on the Marine and Blue Economy, which we have diligently crafted, has taken note of the need to leverage technology and private sector initiatives to boost the sector. I am pleased to note that the draft Policy is soon to be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.”

Taking cognizance of the country’s vast coastline of 853 kilometers bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea with significant and diverse marine resources, its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 300,000 square kilometers and inland waterways resources estimated at 10,000kms, the pioneer marine and blue economy minister said the diligent harnessing of all the abundant variable is more than sufficient to support a vibrant intra-regional trade.

He expressed optimism that given the atmosphere of focused team work by the ministry and its agencies, the growth trajectory can only continue to rise, offering improved future gains and expanded opportunities.

“The potentials of this sector to contribute to the country’s GDP is huge. The blue economy comprises activities such as maritime shipping; ship building and repairs, ports infrastructure and services; coastal tourism; fishing and aquaculture; blue/renewable energy; seabed mining; underwater cabling; marine biotechnology (pharmaceuticals and chemicals); water desalination.

“Together, the ministry and its agencies work as a team to deliver on the lofty mandates given and have recorded significant achievements. I make bold to affirm that the Ministry is spearheading an ambitious reform agenda, for all the agencies under its purview. Together, the ministry and its agencies work as a team to deliver on the lofty mandates given and have recorded significant achievements. I make bold to affirm that the Ministry is spearheading an ambitious reform agenda, for all the agencies under its purview”

Together with the National Single Window (NSW) projectand Port Community System (PCS), Oyetola said the ministry has left nothing to chance in ensuring that all the critical links have been identified and are being connected.

“The Ministry, through NPA is driving an agenda to deploy technology at the ports for enhance operational efficiency. This initiative includes the deployment of scanners by the Nigeria Customs Service to improve transparency at the ports; Vessel Tracking System; E-Regulatory Process Portal; International Cargo Tracking Note to boost revenue and guarantee security; and Truck Call Up System to reduce traffic congestion. All these initiatives are propelled by inter agency collaboration.”

Collaborating, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah said all the necessary legislative instruments required to drive the process have almost been concluded.

Akutah who also used the opportunity to provide an update on the status of the agency’s transformation into the port economic regulator said much progress has been made.

“When it came up at the early stages, there were a lot of agitations in and out of the sector, and that brings me to the role of the Honourable Minister so far, for providing strategic leadership. He called all the agencies in-house to sit down at a round table look at the bigger picture, and discussing areas of possible overlaps. So all the agencies sat together and we looked at the bill section by section, line by line, at the direction of the Honorable Minister. And after that, we had a separate hearing at the National Assembly.

“The bill was passed by the House of Representatives, and the concurrence by the Senate has already been done. And at the moment, there is a cleaning process that is going on in the National Assembly, of which the Honorable Minister is also a part. And at the end of the day, it will be forwarded to the President for assent. I imagine that any time from now, it will be going for the president’s action which is the final stage.”