The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello has called for collaboration between the Council and the International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA) in the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Notes in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary made this call during a sensitization programme organized for members of IFFA on the implementation of Cargo Tracking Notes yesterday.
Prior to the sensitization seminar, IFFA had written to the Council to state that it was not in support of the ICTN initiative and the symposium became necessary following a dialogue between the Executive Secretary of the Council, Hassan Bello and the executives of IFFA.
Mr. Hassan Bello was represented by the Deputy Director, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Chief C.C Agu who revealed that the Council would continue to enlighten all stakeholders in order to make the ICTN initiative a success in Nigeria.
Chief Agu noted that IFFA had kicked against ICTN because they did fully understand the benefits and functions of the platform. He was relieved that the Association was set to retrace it steps to counter the ICTN.
“IFFA kicked against it because they did not understand it, but you can see their enthusiasm, even the President noted that the CTN is for the benefit of Nigeria and for the economy. I am convinced that they will key in” Chief Agu said.
Chief Agu also reiterated that the implementation of the ICTN would not add to the cost of doing business because it was at no cost to the shippers, freight forwarders and the Nigerian economy.
One of the recurring questions was ‘who will finance the CTN’, responding to this Chief Agu said; “what we are collecting as administrative charges are part of the (International Ships and Ports facility Security) ISPS charges which already imbedded in the freight”.
However the President of IFFA; Chief Sam Onyemulukwe was confident that his association would retrace its steps towards fighting the CTN, he assured the management of the Council of support of the association on the implementation of CTN to ensure the growth of the maritime industry.
Chief Onyemulukwe appreciated the Council for organizing the symposium and he expressed satisfaction at the workshop as it offered members of the association the opportunity to further understand the CTN.
