The International Press Centre, Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Apapa, Lagos will be a beehive of activities as a one day roundtable on International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) begins this Thursday February 27, 2025.
Stakeholders in the maritime stakeholders and beyond are expected to attend the roundtable discussion on ICTN which has become controversial since its reintroduction by the Federal Government last year.
The roundtable which is being organised by the umbrella body of journalists covering the maritime sector of the economy, MARAN is expected to kick off by 10am.
Top government agencies expected to participate at the event include the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The two organisations are billed to make paper presentations on ICTN.
In the same vein, concerned stakeholders such as the 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 ICTN.
MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere who disclosed this to Maritime Bits also stressed the importance of the roundtable on ICTN.
According to him, there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding ICTN to rest once and for all. 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.
Continuing, he said: “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.”
He also stated that invited guest speakers and stakeholders have confirmed their readiness to attend the event and share their opinions on the subject matter.
