We’re deploying ICTN for greater port efficiency, says Akutah
Maureen Aguta
As the ports economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said that the target of the agency in the deployment of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is to ensure maximum level of efficiency in the nation’s seaports.
Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, disclosed that the Council has identified ICTN as the required technology designed to boost efficiency in ports operations.
He disclosed that ICTN is known for its capacity to ensure the traceability of goods across international borders, saying the technology is popular for its transparency in the global supply chain.
Akutah described ICTN as a tool to enhance trade globally, adding that the mechanism enhances visibility and accountability in the shipping process, reducing opportunities for fraud, smuggling and theft.
According to him, the technology will be good in monitoring daily crude oil exports, importation of illicit drugs and arms into the country amongst other infractions.
NSC CEO further said that ICTN facilitates Customs clearance procedure by providing real-time updates that alert authorities to any discrepancies in cargo movement.
The new ICTN as enunciated by the Council, according to him, will bolster Nigeria’s security, enhance the Federal Government’s revenue from seaports, and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which essentially is targeted towards the diversification of the economy.
It is to be deployed in the second quarter of this year.
Akutah revealed that ICTN provides accurate and timely cargo information, enabling Customs officials to perform more effective inspections, clear goods faster thereby reducing delays which will further boost the country’s global rating in the maritime sector.
Among the benefits of the ICTN, he added, include enhancement of cargo security while contributing to trade transparency.
He explained that as a technology, it provides real-time cargo data, reducing smuggling, cargo under-declaration and trade fraud, adding that it equally strengthens the country’s supply chain security by ensuring cargo visibility from the port of loading to the port of destination.
Akutah said ICTN helps in efficient Customs clearance as the system enables pre-arrival processing, allowing regulatory agencies, including Nigerian Customs to assess risks before cargo arrival.
According to him, this leads to faster clearance time, reduced congestion at ports and lower demurrage costs for traders.
ICTN ensures accurate cargo valuation, preventing revenue loss due to false declarations while blocking financial leakage caused by incorrect customs duties, levies and tariffs, he said.
The Council pointed out that many countries of the world including advanced economies have successfully deployed ICTN for effective cargo monitoring and for trade regulation.
The Ports Economic Regulator believes that it is imperative to state that Nigeria’s adoption of ICTN aligns with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and international maritime security standards.
On the topical issue of if ICTN has a legal backing, the Council, said yes, adding, “If we do retrospection especially on the mandate and role of Nigerian Shippers Council as Port Economic Regulator, it becomes apparent that as a regulator the Council is empowered to introduce mechanisms that enhance trade facilitation”.
The Council added, “To put it mildly, ICTN is not a duplication of existing processes but a complementary tool that aligns with Nigeria’s Customs and Port Regulatory network. The technology widely used in other climes streamlines cargo inspection and clearance through automated pre-arrival information.
“It is therefore important to state here that ICTN is an additional regulatory mechanism, which works in synergy with customs systems to enhance compliance, risk assessment, and trade efficiency.
“Finally, it has become propitious to inform the “doubting Thomases” in the industry that the new ICTN is not to stifle trade but to support the Federal Government economic and security agenda. The recent upsurge in arms and drug importation calls for total support by all and sundry. The key benefit of ICTN is to protect Nigerians from drug trafficking, arms smuggling and other contraband that aid insecurity. It is for the interest and benefit of the economy, to Nigerians and most importantly to industry stakeholders to embrace the ICTN implementation maximally so as to grow our Marine and Blue Economy”.