The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said the administrative charges on International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) will help the Federal Government to address decay in seaports infrastructures.
Executive Secretary of the Council; Mr Hassan Bello made the declaration yesterday in Lagos, even as he stressed that the scheme was targeted at check mounting revenue leakages, under declaration, concealment and unilateral imposition of undue surcharges on cargoes destined for Nigeria.
Hassan Bello, who spoke at a one-day enlightenment seminar on International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) for members of the International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA) was represented by Deputy Director, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement of the Council; Chief Cajetan Agu.
Bello said that the scheme was already being implemented in United States, Europe and some other African countries.
In view of this, he said it has become necessary to educate the members of the IFFA on the purpose of the ICTN and the benefits and frameworks for its implementation in the country.
He said, “the ICTN currently being implemented in Nigeria and driven by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is expected to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
“The administrative charges on ICTN will provide the Federal Government the required fund to address infrastructure deficit at the ports for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Speaking further, he added, “The ICTN/ACD scheme is a service directed at check-mating revenue leakages, under declaration, concealment and unilaterally imposing undue surcharges on our cargoes.”
One the seminar, the council’s boss further maintained that it was intended to create more awareness as the Economic Regulator of the port and the implementing agency for the scheme.
“The resolve to organise this enlightenment programme is therefore to educate the members of IFFA on the purpose of ICTN and ACD, the benefits and the framework for its implementation of Nigeria”, Bello added.
The theme of the seminar was “Implementation of Advance Cargo Declaration Scheme”, it was attended by top members of the association.
Speaking on behalf of the association, President, IFFA; Chief Sam Onyemulukwe assured management of the council of support adding that there is need for synergy between it and the NSC to move the maritime industry forward.
According to him, the association had kicked against the ICTN at the initial stage of its introduction, but he however expressed satisfaction at the workshop and the opportunity it offered members of the association to further understand the CTN.
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