Simeon Nwonu (Deputy National President, NAGAFF)
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council had created lots of workshops and training to sensitize stakeholders about this electronic Cargo Tracking Note. My worry is that Nigeria is such a country that people don’t attach much value to goodwill and character. The electronic Cargo Tracking Note is dead on arrival because of the human elements involved. The human element impedes on the functionality or full implementation of every government programme. The same people that pushed a good policy are the same people that will scuttle it because of corruption or greed. Even when the tracking and the necessary procedures are in order, they may not clear you until you come and bring money. The Cargo Tracking Note is a good policy, but the implementation is always the problem.
Rev. Jonathan Nicole (Former President, SALS)
It depends on the people who are operators of the system. The government has made a categorical statement. After all, it was the Shippers’ Council that designed and introduced it. We believe that the Shippers Council who are the originators will handle it effectively. They have appointed consultants to handle it and the Shippers Council will supervise it. But we don’t want the funding to be passed to the shippers. We don’t know the arrangement that they have with the consultants that are to handle it. There should be adequate plans for the funding by the government and not creating an avenue where they will start striving to have a slice of the cake from shippers.
Taiwo Fatomilola (National PRO AREFFN)
To be frank and candid is there anything that is operating in the port that will hinder malpractices? I don’t think there is any activity at the port that cannot trigger these sharp practices. The federal government wants to empower Shippers’ Council with another means of corruption, there is no need for it. But if that is what they want to do, then let’s watch how things pan out. I believe there would be delay in the tracking which will later be done manually except money exchange hands.
Dr. Segun Musa (Deputy National President, Air and Logistics, NAGAFF)
The ICTN or CTN will be resisted at all levels because it is an instrument of intellectual fraud. You will recollect that when it was first introduced, it served no purpose aside, being a conduit to stylishly defraud innocent Nigerians because any additional cost to importation will be paid by innocent Nigerians. Unfortunately, the ugly monster has raised its ugly head again with expedited approval from the presidency, knowing fully well that the government needs money and will be willing to approve anything that brings in additional income without investment.
Innocent Elum (BoT Secretary, AREFFN)
I am aware that they have been trying to introduce it in the past, but it wasn’t possible. For me, it is the best that can happen to us. But I don’t know if it will actually kick off. Forming a programme is one, implementation is another. The programme failed in its implementation during the tenure of the other Ministers. So if it is properly implemented now with sincerity that is saying one thing and doing another, then I think that will be best. This is because the risk involved in the importation of goods will be minimised. So I believe it can work if it can be implemented.
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.
Stanley Ezenga (General Secretary, Western Zone NAGAFF)
I think the reason why this Cargo Tracking Note has not taken off is because of the politics behind it. In Nigeria, before government officials approve a project they just have to think on making sure their interest is well taken care of. If otherwise, then the project or policy will not fly. The government players saddled with the implementation have sat on it overtime because their interests were not factored; that is why it has not been able to work. When it came on board, we were all excited because you will know exactly what is in your container from the port of origin, so that the issue of ambiguity will not arise.
If the government is sincere about the implementation, of course they have the muscles to do it, then it will work. However, clashes of interest have not been able to make it work. The government should put their feet on ground and make sure it works, because it is going to be of great benefit to Nigerians.
Francis Omotoso (Registrar, NAGAFF Academy)
The objective of the Cargo Tracking Note is not very clear and that is why the stakeholders rejected it ab initio. For me whatever tracking system government wishes to introduce to help monitor cargo movement from anywhere to Nigeria should not be at a cost or at the expense of the importer, government should do that just for the purpose of security and beside importers have paid so much to different government agencies just for the same overall objective of tracking what comes in to the country. Out rightly, it is the pure responsibility of the government to do that without demanding money from the importers. We are paying so much taxes, permit, dues, levy, duty, and all kinds of fees to the government to achieve the same purpose.
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