Dr. Segun Musa (Deputy National President, Air and Logistics, NAGAFF)
The Cargo Tracking Note is a fraud that must be discouraged. I fought the former NSC Executive Secretary and the then Minister Amaechi to a standstill over it and luckily they could not proceed till the end of their tenure. The National Assembly cancelled it after our engagement and realizing that it has no value aside creating fraudulent income into individuals’ pockets and encouraging the government of extra illegal income that could kill commerce and further nosedive the economy. Look deep to scrutinize the promoters and you will see that they are the enemies of the economy that think of self rather than national interest.
Innocent Elum (BoT Secretary, AREFFN)
Of course we, do need the Cargo Tracking Note for imports in Nigeria. This will be better and welcomed if only it would not become another source of increase in the cost of cargo clearance. We all know the “Nigerian factor” thing. Before you know it a “Tracking Note Officer” would be appointed in all the Customs Commands to extort importers and their agents. If this is fully addressed, then I think the Cargo Tracking Note will be of great benefit to us and the country at large.
Dr. Increase Uche (Member, CRFFN Governing Council)
I believe Nigeria needs the Cargo Tracking Note for imports dearly. This is because it is the only panacea to the rampant vices and trade malpractices in Nigeria. The Cargo Tracking Note has lots of benefits and it should be greatly encouraged. We look forward to its full implementation
Babatunde Mukaila (Immediate Past National Secretary, ANLCA)
The implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note will be a good one for importers and also the government. As much as it is a ‘food’ for the boys, I believe the recent unprecedented arms and ammunitions discovery in a Standard Organization conformity (SONCAP) certified cargoes at Tincan port, call for another round of integrity checks on inbound shipments to Nigeria. Yes, I think with this new insecurity particularly in the nation, the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note is very necessary.
Bert Okeke (NAGAFF)
I do think Nigeria needs Cargo Tracking Note for imports. This is very because security is of utmost importance and this is a great challenge we are facing in the country, particularly at this time. Tracking is a result of scrupulous surveillance. However, intelligence gathering on movement of dangerous cargo may help to scuttle some evil agenda. This will greatly improve the level of security in the country and also develop the economy at large.
Anthony Onyike (National Vice President, NAFFAC)
I believe Nigeria needs the Cargo Tracking Note for imports because that is what is obtainable in other maritime nations. It helps the importer to track and know where his or her container is located after it has been shipped. We are in the technology age where shipping and cargo clearance processes can be made easy and seamless. The Cargo Tracking Note has a lot of economic and security benefits to the country. I think it is a welcome development if it is implemented in Nigeria.
Igwe Kingsley (General Secretary, NAGAFF)
The electronic Cargo Tracking system is good, but how does it improve the cargo clearing system? Everything that is introduced in Nigeria is always tied to revenue generation and that is why I have problems with the introduction of some of those things. If the motive is not for revenue generation whereby freight forwarders will be taking additional money on the already high cost of charges, then it will be better. However, we all know that it will attract some charges coining it under the Cargo Tracking System. It is also against the established agreement and the World Customs Organization in 2017 which the Nigeria Customs is a signatory to. The agreement recommended measures which are strictly aimed at facilitation of trade and not revenue generation.
Clinton Okoro (APFFLON PRO, Tin Can Chapter)
There is nothing really to say about the electronic cargo tracking note because the truth remains that they are just paper work. It is until we see them before we can be able to ascertain anything. Many of these government agencies are just making publicity about some of these policies and after that, we would see nothing working. Just like the Customs scanners issue, they were just trying to cover up, but nothing changed. The system is still the same. One may not be able to fully assess the electronic cargo note unless we see it working.
