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Freight Forwarders drag Shippers’ Council to Presidency over reintroduction of ICTN 

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

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Aviation

FAAN resumes toll collection at Airports, adopts hybrid payment method 

Gloria Odion, Reporter
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) have resumed collection of toll at all its toll plazas located at the airports in the country, including Murtalar Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
The toll suspension arose from the chaos which the new cashless payment method introduced by FAAN recently generated which resulted in long queues of motorists at these facilities.
This development has raised public outcry which necessitated the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who directed the suspension of the cashless payment system.
However, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the resumption of toll collection at all these plazas.
In a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the Minister declared that a hybrid access gate payment should be adopted by FAAN at the toll gates located at the Airports in the country.
“Following the earlier suspension of the full cashless Access Gate payment system as directed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to the traffic gridlock it created, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development met with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and senior officials of the Ministry.
“After reviewing the initial implementation and the operational challenges observed, the following decisions were reached:
” The Ministry has resolved to engage concessionaires in order to introduce a fully automated or electronic system at all access gates at our airports in order to fully and eventually eliminate cash payments.
” In the meantime, a hybrid payment system that accommodates both cash and card payments will resume at all airport access gates with effect from Friday, March 13, 2026.
” Motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards may continue to use them until further notice.
“Other electronic payment options, including POS terminals and other approved digital channels, will also remain available.
“Members of the public and road users are encouraged to obtain and use the FAAN Go Cashless Card as the Authority continues to enhance and fully optimise the cashless payment system.
“This directive restores the previous access  gate payment arrangement whilst the Ministry continues to work on the fully automated or electronic system” the statement concluded.
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Headlines

NPA shines as Outstanding Agency of the Year 2025 at Champions newspaper Awards ceremony 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has won another award as the Outstanding Agency of the Year 2025 conferred on the agency by Champions Newspaper at its 2025 Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Managing Director of the Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, described the award as recognition of Danthoso  vigorous leadership in implementing smart initiatives that align with the NPA’s vision to become the Maritime Logistics Hub for Sustainable Port Services in Africa.
The NPA MD highlighted the invaluable support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, which he said has been instrumental in achieving these remarkable successes.
According Dantsoho, some of the key remarkable performances of NPA include sustained port efficiencies, which contributed  to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion and ₦6.7 trillion in Q2 and Q3 2025 (per NBS and NESG reports), driven mainly by exports via NPA platforms.
He also mentioned the successful execution of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy for crude and petroleum product sales in Naira, saving billions in FOREX, enhancing energy security, improving trade balance, and creating jobs.
Others include completion of Nigeria’s membership in the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA), paving the way for the National Single Window (NSW) project, technical guidance enabling a significant rise in transhipment cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport, serving landlocked neighbours and recovering cargo lost to competing ports.
Another achievement made under the leadership of Danthoso was his electorial victory as the President of the Port Management Association of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA), with Dr. Dantsoho also leading PAPC, boosting Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and securing re-admission to IMO Category C.
Champions Newspaper conferred the award in appreciation of NPA’s pivotal role as a leading trade facilitation platform driving national economic prosperity through Nigeria’s maritime endowments.
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Headlines

Anti-Corruption Group Commends FG on National Single Window Initiative

Gloria Odion,Maritime Reporter 
The Media Anti-Corruption Initiatives (MACI), a leading non-governmental organization(NGO), has applauded the Federal Government’s forthcoming launch of the National Single Window (NSW), a centralized platform designed to integrate all transactions and interactions with public agencies.
In a joint press release, Captain Adamu Mishela (Chairman) and Funso Olojo (Secretary General) emphasized the significance of the NSW as a groundbreaking reform aimed at streamlining trade procedures, enhancing transparency, and strengthening integrity across the public sector.
Originally introduced nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSW represents a major fiscal reform intended to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Captain Mishela noted that MACI believes the initiative will minimize opportunities for corrupt practices, accelerate service delivery for citizens and businesses, and restore public confidence in government institutions
MACI reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public resources, upholding the rule of law, and promoting transparency.
 The organization also expressed readiness to collaborate with government agencies, private sector partners, civil society, and the wider public to ensure the NSW achieves its objectives, mitigates risks, and serves as a strong defense against corruption.
In support of the NSW project, MACI is set to hold a seminar with the theme “Tamper-Proof National Single Window” to ensure that the initiative succeeds where other reforms before it faltered.
This initiative marks a significant step toward building a more open, accountable, and citizen-focused public sector in Nigeria.
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