The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has disclosed that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has nothing to lose regarding the introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) as the platform will not become an additional fiscal burden on Nigerian shippers.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Emmanuel Jime stated this in Lagos, during a breakfast meeting with executives of MAN at the Council’s headquarters in Apapa.
Jime made it clear to MAN that the cost angle of the ICTN regime will not be borne by Nigerian shippers as things have been arranged in a way that it cannot do what he referred to as a dramatic damage to the economy. It will not negatively affect the cost of doing business since there will not be additional costs.
As critical stakeholders in the business value chain, he admitted, manufacturers have a right to seek clarifications and be properly informed on what is to be expected as far as the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is concerned.
“The cost will be very minimal. Let’s keep in mind that this cost has always been a shipping charge. It isn’t something that is really new.”
“Nevertheless, we have to look at the real impact this will have on the Nigerian economy,” he assured.
Outlining the benefits acruable from the ICTN, Jime spoke specifically on crude oil theft and the implications on the nation’s economy. He was emphatic that tracking the movement of this cargo from source will ensure monitoring and assist Nigeria overcome the menace of crude oil theft which is having huge implications on the nation’s revenue.
He explained that among other benefits, the quantum of crude being stolen from Nigeria is enough to establish the kind of infrastructural development the nation deserves.
Besides, ICTN stands to address the problem of undervaluation of goods.
“These are some of the balancing factors that ICTN is going to bring. With these immense benefits that will come to the nation’s economy from ICTN, you will agree that there are more reasons to introduce ICTN than not to,” he observed.
The NSC boss requested MAN to collaborate in close partnership with his office to ensure that the reintroduction of the ICTN does not lead to an increase in the cost of doing business.
“Assist us,” he urged MAN.
Speaking earlier, former Vice President of MAN, Lagos Zone, Chief John Aluya, raised concerns that the introduction of the ICTN would lead to a new fiscal burden on Nigerian shippers as well as increasing the prices of imported goods.
Aluya, who is also a member of the NSC Governing Board, regretted that every regulatory regime in Nigerian ports has always translated to increased tax and avoidable costs for port stakeholders. Nigerian ports are already notorious in this aspect, he stated.
“Manufacturers’ ultimate aim is to make sure that Nigeria becomes the hub of the West-African region in production. But if our port costs keep rising, we will be driving away the land-locked countries from using our ports.”
