By seaflyponews ICTN: CUSTOMS ASSURES STAKEHOLDERS OF CAPACITY FOR EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION AT MARAN ROUNDTABLE
By Babatunde Aremu
The Comptroller General of Nigeria customs service has assured stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry of the capacity of the service to ensure efficient implementation of the international cargo tracking Note at the ports .
The Customs Boss gave this assurance on Thursday at a roundtable discussion organised by Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria ( MARAN) at the Association’s secretariat in Apapa, Lagos.
Adeniyi who was represented at the roundtable by the NCS FOU zone ‘A’ coordinator Charles orbih assured that the NCS is set to collaborate with Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN),
Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC),
National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA),
Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA),
National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),
Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) and importers to ensure the efficiency of the ICTN .
Speaking in the theme of the roundtable – “Proposed International Cargo Tracking Note: A Second Look by Capital Stakeholders” the CG said:
” The implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) represents a significant opportunity to transform Nigeria’s maritime operations and enhance our competitiveness in global trade. This initiative,
re-introduced by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, offers concrete solutions to long-standing challenges in our ports.
The benefits of International Cargo Tracking Note implementation are substantial and far-reaching. The system significantly enhances security and risk management by providing information in advance about cargo, enabling better threat assessment and targeted inspections. This enhanced security framework has proven effective in reducing cargo loss and theft in countries that have implemented the system.
Additionally, the International Cargo Tracking Note will facilitate trade and improve ease of doing business in our ports. The system enables pre-arrival processing of cargo information, significantly reducing documentation processing time.
Furthermore, International Cargo Tracking Note’s integration with existing systems will create a seamless information flow between customs, and other stakeholders. This integration enables real-time cargo tracking, faster manifest verification, and automated risk assessment. These improvements directly translate to reduced dwell time, lower demurrage charges, and more predictable cargo delivery schedules for businesses”
According to the CG the evidence from other African nations supports these benefits:
“Our next door neighbour, Ghana, is a prime example. The Ghana Revenue Authority’s implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note since 2015 has demonstrated remarkable improvements in cargo clearance efficiency and revenue collection. Similarly, Kenya’s adoption of International Cargo Tracking Note in 2014 has led to substantial reductions in cargo dwell time and enhanced operational efficiency.
Beyond the shores of our continent, Turkey and Brazil’s implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note offers particularly compelling evidence of the system’s transformative potential in a large, complex maritime environment. Their sophisticated approach has drastically reduced the
need for physical cargo inspections while maintaining robust security standards.
The MARAN roundtable provided the opportunity for the Nigeria customs service to address the valid concerns raised by various stakeholders:
- “The issue of increased clearance costs is something to look into. Yet, international evidence suggests these costs are offset by savings from reduced delays, demurrage charges, and more efficient operations. We are actively working with stakeholders to establish a fee structure that balances system sustainability with business competitiveness.
Regarding bureaucracy and procedural complications, these concerns deserve serious attention. Some worry that it might add another layer of complexity to our port operations. Our implementation strategy directly addresses this through system integration and process automation. Rather than creating additional procedures, International Cargo Tracking Note will streamline existing ones by providing a single platform for information submission and verification.
Let me also address the questions raised about legal backing. While some have challenged the legal foundation for International Cargo Tracking Note, Section 28 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 explicitly empowers the Service to develop and maintain electronic systems for cargo tracking. This legal framework ensures proper authority for implementation while protecting stakeholder interests.
The Nigeria Customs Service envisions a measured, phased implementation approach. Throughout this process, we will maintain open dialogue with stakeholders, incorporating feedback and making necessary adjustments to ensure the system serves its intended purpose without creating undue burden.
This is not merely about adopting new technology – it’s about fundamentally improving how we conduct maritime trade in Nigeria. Successful implementation will position our ports as more efficient, transparent, and competitive gateways for international trade”