Maritime stakeholders have backed the reintroduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note at Nigerian ports.
The stakeholders, who spoke at a recent event organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria in Apapa, noted that the move marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s maritime sector.
They underscored the strategic importance of enhancing transparency, reducing illicit trade, and improving Nigeria’s position in global maritime trade.
Some opined that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council should be well-empowered to facilitate the process.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, emphasised that the ICTN is not a new initiative to the NSC.
Represented at the event by the Director of Consumer Affairs at the council, Celestine Akujobi, the ES explained that the council had successfully managed it in the past before it was suspended.
Akutah reaffirmed that the agency is fully prepared to execute the system efficiently, ensuring it benefits shippers, the government, and the entire economy.
According to him, the ICTN is a trade facilitation tool, not just a revenue-generating initiative.
“The NSC 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 NCS role; rather, it complements existing frameworks, as evidenced by previous collaborations between the NSC, Customs, and the Central Bank of Nigeria,” Akutah said.
He maintained that the ICTN is not new to the council: “It has been operated before, but it was suspended; we are aware of that.”
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Orbih, emphasised that cargo tracking is indispensable for national security.
He cited numerous seizures of illicit arms and drugs at Nigerian ports and highlighted how ICTN would provide critical intelligence to intercept contraband before it enters the country.
“We must rise to the clarion call of protecting our borders. Forget the cost implications; security comes first. The ICTN will allow us to track cargo digitally and scientifically, ensuring that threats are neutralised before they pose harm,” he asserted.
The head of research at Sea Empowerment and Research Centre, Dr. Eugene Nweke, pointed out that Nigeria cannot afford to lag in global trade facilitation.
“America has adopted advanced cargo tracking, and many African nations have implemented ICTN. Nigeria must follow suit to enhance revenue collection, trade efficiency, and security. The NSC must be empowered to oversee this process to ensure effective monitoring and compliance,” he stated.
A representative of the Importers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Mubarak Mahmoud, mentioned that the ICTN is a concept that goes beyond revenue generation.
“IMAN believes that an ordinary Nigerian businessman should not do his business at the expense of national security, nor should he do business at an entire cost to his hard work; therefore, we need a stabilisation between the state actors who are meant to check the movement of cargoes in and out of Nigeria,” he said.
ICTN is an automated tracking system which allows real-time monitoring of cargo from origin to destination.
