Why ICTN Should Be Implemented Without Further Ado

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

While the single, biggest blow to the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) in Nigeria has to do with a mixture of official factors amongst which is unaddressed suspicion, petty rivalry between state agencies operating at the ports, lack of political will, and by no means the least, an apparent lack of clarity.

The latter is however so academically constituted, so unique and yet so diverse that only a coordinated, determined official approach, planning, response and enlightenment by the federal government suffice to aggregate a consensus view.

Only such an unwavering focus through a purposeful and systemic operational framework, can achieve a national buy-in; even if only on a gradual and firm step-by-step process.

Rarely can everybody be carried along the same time regarding matters of economic policies or matters of national importance; hence the best approach that had yet to be taken was one of a well articulated, well structured, sustained sensitization and enlightenment; pursuant to a firm, determined official position.

It is instructive to note that while every attempt to conscript stakeholders and the citizenry without an unremitting official stance can only produce a potpourri of unsure destination, much of the engagements since the idea was first broached have disappointingly ended in official self defeatism.

It is therefore time to do away with all the attendant political sophistries, apparent traces of subterfuge and psychological blackmail all of which can only serve as temporary relief in preference for a straightforward, purposeful and factual defence of the CTN as the path the government wish to take and which it believes will serve the national interest better.

This bold rationalization coupled with a well structured framework for its successful implementation alone has a chance for its meaningful, guaranteed roll off. It was this lack of consensus at the federal level and the plaintive under current rivalry between sister-departments of government which signs are still noticeable that has made the issue of CTN dragged endlessly.

Nor are all stakeholders expected to announce their support to enable the implementation of a meaningful economic policy, since a well structured implementation underscored by a purposeful regime of honest and responsive levy is all that is needed.

Perhaps, it is better that the federal government has carried out a slight adjustment in rechristening it as International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), to reflect the current global nomenclature.

Given the impressive legislative leg work the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) have done on it, including very robust stakeholders engagement up to a ministerial intervention, the time has come for both arms of the National Assembly to conclude its debate on it and get the bill passed without further ado.

It is hoped that the approval will also receive timely presidential assent dimension, and save the nation from the ridicule and poor global image we have so far attracted unto ourselves through the inglorious long span of indecision, having been on the line-up for more than ten years.

Already, critical stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) which pundits believe have played the role by virtue of its unique official reach, corroborated other stakeholders leaning that the ICTN is an economic game changer for Nigeria.

The automated tracking system, which allows real-time monitoring of cargo from origin to destination, holds immense potential for trade facilitation, security enhancement, and revenue generation. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council which is saddled with the operability of the  ICTN has more than demonstrated its preparedness and capacity provide a seamless and efficient port operations, inclusive of the scheme.

At a recent stakeholders engagement organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), industry leaders voiced strong support for the NSC’s role in implementing ICTN, underscoring its strategic importance in enhancing transparency, reducing illicit trade, and improving Nigeria’s position in global maritime trade.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah speaking at the event emphasized that the ICTN is not a new initiative to the NSC, as the Council has successfully managed it in the past before it was suspended.

Akutah who was represented by the Director of Consumer Affairs, Celestine Akujobi noted that this time around, the federal government is determined to ensure that the takeoff of the scheme is not delayed more than is absolutely necessary.

“The ICTN is a trade facilitation tool, not just a revenue-generating initiative. The Shippers’ Council is committed to implementing it in a way that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens national security. The system is not a duplication of the Nigeria Customs Service, rather, it complements all existing frameworks, as evidenced by previous collaborations between the NSC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

Akujobi admitted that even though the scheme is designed to impose some token financial implication, he assured stakeholders that such associated costs would be minimal and absorbed within the trade system; while the scheme will enhance cargo monitoring, improve the national security and eliminate revenue leakages.

“The ICTN is not new to the Nigerian Shippers Council,  it has been operated before but it was suspended,  we are aware of that. The most important thing is that we are moving forward, the ICTN started years ago, it was an UNCTAD advisory that Shippers Council of every country should monitor the movement of cargoes from port of origin to destination.

“The UNCTAD advisory was to all developing countries following the demise of the liner conferences. In the same vein, the Union of African Shippers Council met and discussed on how to implement the cargo tracking, as early as 2006, sister countries have started the implementation of the Cargo Tracking, Others started 2011.

“Today, there are over 20 countries both in West and Central African subregions implementing ICTN. For us at the Shippers Council, we are ready to go ahead with it,  we believe that any new innovation that is introduced, some people will say yes to it, while some would say no. But it is for us to look at all the positions dispassionately and how it would be of benefit to the operators, the government and the generality of Nigerians”, adding:

“The federal government is not working againt the interest of its citizens. If ICTN is not a trade facilitation tool, the government would not come up with it.”

Across the world, advanced economies and neighboring African countries have implemented cargo tracking systems with remarkable success. Ghana, Kenya, Turkey, and Brazil have leveraged ICTN to improve cargo clearance efficiency, support national security, and boost government revenue.

Contributing, Dr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) said “the only way for us to ensure check and balances in our maritime sector is for us to introduce the ICTN, and bring good consultants that would administer it for us to achieve reasonable compliance.

“For us at SEREC, we believe that ICTN would bring reasonable compliance and checkmate any unwholesome activities by vessels”, Nweke said.

However, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) advised that ICTN should be tied to a service.

Another stakeholder, Dr Segun Musa, Managing Director of Widescope Nigeria Limited and National Vice President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) who also expressed concern said there is nothing special in tracking cargo to warrant the implementation of the ICTN.

“The essence of the risk is that when a ship is on voyage, it might move from port to the other, and there might be concealment at the next port of call. Whenever there is concealment anywhere along the passage of the voyage or transit, it has already been taken care of by the customs service.”

Since every new economic policy is open to debate, where different stakeholders are bound to advance different perspectives, only the government based on overriding national interest is well positioned to make an informed decision; especially having enjoyed very robust, industry debate with an overwhelming support for its implementation.

There is no compelling reason to doubt the sincerity of the Nigerian Government and or disbelieve its appeals that the implementation of the ICTN will turn out to become an attractive option.

And since the National Assembly has shown no cause to doubt the efficacy of the ICTN to achieve enhanced port service delivery and national security, the onus is our lawmakers to expedite the process in giving its approval and to escalate the bill to President Ahmed Tinubu for the final seal of authority.