A section of the freight forwarders under the egies of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) has reported the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Presidency over its attempt to resuscitate and impose the suspended International Cargo Tracking Nite(ICTN) on port users.

In their petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dated February 3rd, 2025 and a copy of which was made available to our reporter, the freight forwarders described the ICTN as illegal as it was not backed by any known law or legislation.

In the petition signed by Mr Lucky Ayis Amiwero, the National President of the freight forwarders group, the angry customs brokers also pointed out that the concept is not tied to any service on fees and charges imposed on importation and exportation.

According to the group, the ICTN, which was first introduced in 2010 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the  Nigerian Shippers’ Council in 2015/2016, was on both occasions shot down and suspended due to its cost and procedure effect on Cargo clearance.

The agitated freight forwarders therefore expressed dismay over the current attempt by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to reintroduce a concept that was suspended on two occasions due to its defects.

“We hereby bring to the attention of the Federal Government on the push for the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN), which was   first introduced by Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in 2010 and  the Second in 2015/2016 by Nigerian Shippers council(NSC).

“And  now,  there is a recent  push by the Shippers Council(NSC)  to implement a scheme that  was suspended , due  to the cost and procedure  its effect   on cargo clearance” the group complained.

The freight forwarding group recalled that due to the outcry of the stakeholders over the re-introduction of the ICTN in 2016, the Federal government set up a technical committee comprising the Nigeria Shippers Council(NSC), Manufactures Association of Nigeria(MAN)  Shipping Association of Nigeria(SAN) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) to resolve concern of stakeholders.

Then the committee was asked to examine all cost associated with the implementation of international Cargo Tracking Note,ascertain where the cost burden of the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note, will rest with a view to ensuring that the already high cost of doing business at our port is not worsened, to examine the basis and justification for all related charges with a view to reviewing same and to review the implementation and documentation procedures for charges and service.

“The Committee was Chaired by the National President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) Lucky Eyis Amiwero,  and after careful assessment  of the deliberation  based on the implication and complexities  the implementation was suspended.”

In the petition, the group make the following claims:

“The international Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN) is not back by  law and will create additional procedure that will constitute delay in the already lengthy and cumbersome port operation.

“It is not tied to Service  of any sort, as contained in Articles  6: of Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA) on Fees and Charges imposed in connection with Importation and Exportation.

“Furthermore, the  Nigeria Customs Service Act Section 28-(1)-(4)  covered the obligation of  Cargo Tracking Note, which conferred authority to the Service, of develop, maintain and employ and electronic system, while the Service is lead agency for exchange of information   between the Service, Agencies of the Government, and traders.

 “As provided in Section 28 and 35 of the Nigeria Customs Act, the deployment  of electronic system, and Pre-arrival process is the  exclusive preserve of   the service and  is the lead agency to all Government Agencies,  which clearly exclude other government agencies from deploying international electronic Tracking Note  system”

“The legislation of other government Agencies, do not contain any provision of electronic` system and pre-arrival process, in relation to Import and Export and the clearance of goods”

The freight forwarders therefore challenged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council that deployment of  any electronic system is in contravention of the laws, additional cost, duplicated process, and obstacle to trade.

—-describe the concept as illegal, financial burden on importers 

A section of the freight forwarders under the egies of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) has reported the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the Presidency over its attempt to resuscitate and impose the suspended International Cargo Tracking Nite(ICTN) on port users.

In their petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dated February 3rd, 2025 and a copy of which was made available to our reporter, the freight forwarders described the ICTN as illegal as it was not backed by any known law or legislation.

In the petition signed by Mr Lucky Ayis Amiwero, the National President of the freight forwarders group, the angry customs brokers also pointed out that the concept is not tied to any service on fees and charges imposed on importation and exportation.

According to the group, the ICTN, which was first introduced in 2010 by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the  Nigerian Shippers’ Council in 2015/2016, was on both occasions shot down and suspended due to its cost and procedure effect on Cargo clearance.

The agitated freight forwarders therefore expressed dismay over the current attempt by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to reintroduce a concept that was suspended on two occasions due to its defects.

“We hereby bring to the attention of the Federal Government on the push for the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN), which was   first introduced by Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) in 2010 and  the Second in 2015/2016 by Nigerian Shippers council(NSC).

“And  now,  there is a recent  push by the Shippers Council(NSC)  to implement a scheme that  was suspended , due  to the cost and procedure  its effect   on cargo clearance” the group complained.

The freight forwarding group recalled that due to the outcry of the stakeholders over the re-introduction of the ICTN in 2016, the Federal government set up a technical committee comprising the Nigeria Shippers Council(NSC), Manufactures Association of Nigeria(MAN)  Shipping Association of Nigeria(SAN) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) to resolve concern of stakeholders.

Then the committee was asked to examine all cost associated with the implementation of international Cargo Tracking Note,ascertain where the cost burden of the implementation of International Cargo Tracking Note, will rest with a view to ensuring that the already high cost of doing business at our port is not worsened, to examine the basis and justification for all related charges with a view to reviewing same and to review the implementation and documentation procedures for charges and service.

“The Committee was Chaired by the National President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents(NCMDLCA) Lucky Eyis Amiwero,  and after careful assessment  of the deliberation  based on the implication and complexities  the implementation was suspended.”

In the petition, the group make the following claims:

“The international Cargo Tracking Note(ICTN) is not back by  law and will create additional procedure that will constitute delay in the already lengthy and cumbersome port operation.

“It is not tied to Service  of any sort, as contained in Articles  6: of Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA) on Fees and Charges imposed in connection with Importation and Exportation.

“Furthermore, the  Nigeria Customs Service Act Section 28-(1)-(4)  covered the obligation of  Cargo Tracking Note, which conferred authority to the Service, of develop, maintain and employ and electronic system, while the Service is lead agency for exchange of information   between the Service, Agencies of the Government, and traders.

 “As provided in Section 28 and 35 of the Nigeria Customs Act, the deployment  of electronic system, and Pre-arrival process is the  exclusive preserve of   the service and  is the lead agency to all Government Agencies,  which clearly exclude other government agencies from deploying international electronic Tracking Note  system”

“The legislation of other government Agencies, do not contain any provision of electronic` system and pre-arrival process, in relation to Import and Export and the clearance of goods”

The freight forwarders forwarders therefore challenged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council that deployment of  any electronic system is in contravention of the laws, additional cost, duplicated process, and obstacle to trade.

Ubong Essien, the erswhile Media Aide to Dr Bashir Jamoh, the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has unveiled a Blue Economy Academy in Lagos where he hope to develop the knowledge of Nigerians on how to explore the vast potential of the ocean for personal prosperity.

Essien, who is also the Dean of School of Eloquence, hopes to address the widespread ‘sea blindness’ among Nigerians whom he said are ignorant of the abundant opportunities in the maritime industry.

Unveiling the objectives of the specialized institution to the gathering of media practitioners at a Luncheon on Saturday, February,15th, 2025, Ubong declared that he intended to use the Academy as a tool to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’ s blue economy.

Essien, who sought for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the blue economy industry in Nigeria, including the Media, revealed that his vision is to combat the nation’s historical neglect of its maritime opportunities by leveraging education, policy advocacy, and strategic collaboration to unlock the sector’s true potential.

“In Nigeria, many people remain unaware of the true value of our waters. The economic opportunities they hold are vast, yet largely unrecognized,” he noted.

Essien outlined the academy’s vision of fostering a Nigeria that prospers through its maritime resources. He explained that through strategic training and education, the institution aims to systematically eliminate the lack of awareness surrounding ocean-based industries.

“Through in-depth research, we developed a framework centered on ten thematic areas that will guide our training programs. These ‘ten buckets’ serve as the foundation for understanding and leveraging the blue economy,” he explained.

He also emphasized the need for specialized maritime education, pointing out that apart from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) initiatives, maritime training in Nigeria remains largely fragmented. Comparing it to systems in the United States, he noted that industry-specific learning is crucial for success.

“Just as we have structured learning at the School of Eloquence to be function-specific, the Blue Economy Academy will adopt the same approach. Industry experts will lead knowledge-sharing sessions, ensuring that learning remains relevant, practical, and capable of influencing policy decisions,” he concluded.

He explained that the launch of the Blue Economy Academy marks a major step toward bridging Nigeria’s maritime knowledge gap, equipping individuals with the expertise needed to unlock the vast economic potential of the nation’s waters.

The Academy aims to address critical challenges in the maritime space through four strategic pillars: