All is set for regulators, importers and other operators in the shipping and maritime industries to attend the townhall meeting on the controversial International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) which was re-introduced by the Federal Government.
The event earlier planned as a roundtable discussion was expanded as a townhall meeting after it attracted far larger number of participants than earlier editions.
The forum which is being organised by the foremost maritime journalists association, the Maritime Reporters Association Of Nigeria (MARAN) is slated to hold this Thursday, February 27, 2025 at the MARAN Secretariats in Apapa GRA, Lagos by 10.00am.
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were billed to make paper presentations on the ICTN, while concerned stakeholders such as Shippers’ Association of Lagos State, Importers’ Association of Nigeria, Sea Empowerment Research Centre and the Managing Director, Widescope Group, Dr. Segun Musa will also be on ground to discuss the presentations and give their perspectives towards finding common grounds and lasting solutions for the smooth takeoff of the policy.
Also speaking on the importance of the forum, the president of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere disclosed that there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding ICTN to rest once and for all
He said: “Since the news of the planned reintroduction of the ICTN filtered out, there have been widespread controversies from both the protagonists and antagonists of the concept, with each divide justifying its position.
“It has been a subject that has polarized the maritime industry and as the leading maritime beat association in Nigeria and in furtherance of our advocacy role, MARAN has decided to bring all the contending players under one roof to settle this issue once and for all in order to move forward and develop our sector which is very critical to the nation’s economy.”
Meanwhile, invited guest speakers and stakeholders have confirmed their readiness to attend the program and share their opinions on the subject matter.
