Inspite of criticisms by some Stakeholders in the maritime industry on the introduction of the cargo tracking system in Nigerian ports, others have continued to throw their weight behind the system.
A member of the Council of Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Alhaji Inua Mohammed, said the newly-introduced Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will not only promote maritime trade but if well run will contribute enormously the's country’s financial well being and ability to facilitate legitimate trade and attract new inward investment.
According to Mohammed, CTN is very critical to the economy, and the maritime system because it has introduced accountability and transparency into cargo clearance.
He said there is no additional cost on cargo tracking as everything is paid for right from the port of origin noting that many shipping agents have over the years been collecting the monies and never remitted them.
He said with CTN, the government will be able to pluck revenue loop holes which have undermined economic growth.
The Comptroller-General, the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, while calling on Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s Cargo Tracking Note(CTN) for safety, security and prompt clearance of goods at the port said that contrary to wide-held speculations, the CTN will neither increase freight charges nor cost of operations at the ports.
"You see, when we talk about this procedure, it is that we are very much aware about the way cargoes come into the country, actually with some of them not having verification because where government says these are the fiscal policies; these are the laid down rules as regards imports but with this cargo tracking note, actually, the shipper must tell us what the container is carrying including the documents of the container.
" So one, it will actually assist the customs in knowing what is in the container. It will help us reduce burden of physical examination except where we think we have profiled the container for 100 per cent examination. I believe it is very good. I believe it’s going to bring much awareness to the people of Nigeria about what (the importer) is going to bring in terms of security and it will increase our revenue collection because we are going to know how much cargoes or the exact quantity of what is in the container,"
While calling on members of the organised private sector and maritime stakeholders to embrace CTN, he argued that the newly introduced scheme will guard against sharp practices, under-declaration of cargo and concealment by importers.
"As a Custom officer, I can bring you the bill of laden but I can tell you that there are no actual content of what the cargo is carrying and that is why we have false declarations. One may tell you that he’s carrying used engines, but when we open, we will find he’s carrying textile.
Although Freight forwarders are spoil-ing for war with the organised private sector for not giving a soft berth for the new Cargo Tracking Note (CTN),Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says the newly-introduced Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) will not add to the cost of doing business in the Nigerian ports.
Spokesman of the authority ,Musa Iliya,said the CTN fee or charges had been an integral part of cargo freight.
According to Iliya, there is no additional cost on cargo tracking as everything is paid for right from the port of origin but shipping agents have over the years been collecting the monies and never remitted them.
The Cargo Tracking Note was approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of 9th of December, 2010.
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