MARAN Rallies Shippers Council, NPA, SEREC, Other Maritime Stakeholders To Roundtable Discussion Over Controversial ICTN
L-R: Managing Director of NPA, Abu Dantsoho, MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Dr Segun Musa, Dr Eugene Nweke
The planned re-introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) has been causing controversies across the Nigerian maritime industry, even as some stakeholders have strongly kicked against the concept, saying that it would further increase the cost of cargo clearance at the ports without adding any value.
Rising from these controversies, the Maritime Association of Nigeria, (MARAN) has disclosed that it is holding an all-important roundtable to examine all pertinent issues and concerns surrounding the concept and proffer lasting solutions.
According to MARAN, an umbrella body of maritime reporters, the roundtable will bring together relevant players in the industry under one roof at the MARAN International Press Center in Apapa on Thursday, February 27, 2025 to dissect the subject – matter and point to the way forward.
Some of the key stakeholders expected at the event include Dr Eugene Nweke of the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC), Dr. Segun Musa, Managing Director, Widescope Nigeria Limited will be on hand to deliver insightful address.
Other critical stakeholder expected at the event include Dr. Alban Igwe of the Importers Association of Nigeria.
Two critical government agencies, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) who warehouses the ICTN ,shall be delivering a paper on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN, NSC’s perspective” while the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the former custodian of the project ,shall also be speaking on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN, NPA’s Perspective” that day.
Speaking on the need for the roundtable, Mr Godfrey Bivbere, President, MARAN, disclosed that there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding the issue to rest once and for all
“Since the news of the planned reintroduction of the ICTN filtered out, there have been widespread controversies from both the protagonists and antagonists of the concept, with each divide justifying its position” the MARAN President noted.
“It has been a subject that has polarized the maritime industry and as the leading maritime beat association in Nigeria and in furtherance of our advocacy role, MARAN have decided to bring all the contending players under one roof to settle this issue once and for all in other move forward and develop our sector which is very critical to the nation’s economy” Bivbere concluded.
