Freight forwarders operating in the nation’s maritime industry have again expressed concerns over the delay in the operation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (e-CTN) and the planned single window platform for all agencies in the maritime sector.
The clearing agents, in a chat with our correspondent, lamented that they are in the dark and do not understand whether or not the government is still going ahead with the single window platform and the e-CTN
The e-CTN is an official loading document or certificate that contains detailed information about cargo and its movement between ports as well as the transit period. The e-CTN certificate precedes any shipment to a country demanding it, before the cargo arrives at the port for clearance through customs or other local authorities. This enables the destination port authorities to have all the necessary information about cargo that is being shipped into the country before the shipments arrive.
The e-CTN according to stakeholders has the potential to address issues of criminal activities in the nation’s ports and it is capable of curbing activities of those whose intention was to commit criminal acts in many ways.
While the Single Window platform concept was introduced in 2006 to enable the swift and efficient movement of goods at the ports. However, the project has not been implemented in Nigeria, despite a committee set up to ensure that.
Already, Ghana, Togo and Senegal have implemented their platforms, which have made their ports more competitive.
Speaking on the delayed implementation of the two platforms that could have made Nigerian ports more competitive, a freight forwarder; Mr. Pius Ujubuonu lamented that the e-CTN since it was introduced with its advantages has failed to see the light of the day, while also lamenting the delay in the single window platform.
He said: “For as long as I know, the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) from day one has been anchoring this CTN. Initially, it came on board only after about six months or thereabout, it was jettisoned again. So, if the Cargo Tracking Note is in line with international best practices, then of course we think it will be the best thing that can happen to Nigeria because you would know the movement of cargo from its source till it gets to the port of destination, including the content and quantity and tonnage of the cargo. I think it is going to be a welcome idea if it eventually comes on stream having been approved by the President.
“We were part of that Cargo Tracking Note about 10 years ago and I remember when we went for one of the sensitization programmes at Rockview in Apapa. They made us know that the CTN was going to be part of what Civil Servants are going to use to feather their own nest. They promised us that it was not going to be a problem but for 10 years till now the CTN and the advantages it was supposed to bring, we have not noticed it.
“While the Single Window is more or less a general World Customs Organization (WCO) phenomenon. It is a package on its own. I think the Customs modernization project may at the end of the day be part of what will make the single window take-off seamlessly. But it has not presently taken off, so we wouldn’t know or cannot criticize the process” he said.
Speaking also, the National Secretary of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA); Chief Festus Ukwu said the necessary machinery to make the e-CTN work is still not in place.
“There are a lot of things that are needed to make sure that e-CTN works. When you want to track something, you must have all the needed machinery. Agents don’t have all these things and if they are forced into it, they will collapse and then the foreigners who already have every tool will start taking over our jobs. They have already told us before in one seminar that we should try to merge with each other, so that we can be able to compete with the international community. If the necessary paraphernalia needed for all these things are on ground, e-CTN is a good thing. These are good inventions obtainable in civilized and modernized countries. It is not that we have not met that standard. Just that we don’t have the necessary tools to get to that standard”, he said.
On his part, Mr Clinton Okoro of the African Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) said: “There is nothing yet as far as the e-CTN is concerned. It has not been fully implemented. Recently we had a meeting with the Customs Controller at Tin Can and there was nothing mentioned about the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note. All these are just on paper. We are not seeing anything happening.
“Also, the single window is what all stakeholders are looking forward to. Like we said and we would continue saying, if we apply the single window, the issue of human interfacing will be eradicated. But the truth is that Customs will still frustrate it”.
At a recent event in Lagos, the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo disclosed that the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) appeared jinxed while charging the Permanent Secretary; Dr Magdalene Ajani to un-jinx it and get it working before the next cabinet is constituted.
“I think the Cargo Tracking Note is jinxed. I however trust you to un-jinx it. Please before the next cabinet is in place, make sure at least the cargo tracking note is working, you are the acting minister now, you can take anything to Mr. President for approval and get express approval” he said.
