Temisan Omatseye makes case for Cargo Tracking Note

By Dapo Olawuni |

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Barr. Temi Omatseye has called on the Federal Government to approve the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) a scheme that is being spearheaded by the Nigerian Shippers Council.

Determined to check sharp practices in importation of cargoes, the Council had opted for ICTN four years ago. The scheme was later suspended by the federal government without any explanation.

The tracking policy was designed to assist the nation to ascertain goods being brought into the country. It was to be implemented in collaboration with Messrs Transport and Port Management System (TPMS) Nigeria Limited.

But speaking recently, Omatseye, former NIMASA Boss said if Nigeria wants to take its rightful place as a hub in West and Central Africa, the Cargo Tracking Note must come on stream.

Speaking, he said “When I played the role as President of African Shipowners Association, we demanded for statistics and data, and sincerely speaking, the francophone countries came to provide the data within two to three hours”

“I was quite curious as to why would the francophone countries be able to get the data so quickly, we found out that they got it from the International Cargo Tracking Note, but here in Nigeria, you cannot get such data”

The ICTN was expected to be implemented in Nigeria with a yearly revenue target of about N17,238,054,156.84 ($87,060,879.58).

According to the initial plan of the CTN, all cargoes destined for or departing from Nigerian Ports (Import/Export/Transit) shall obtain from Nigerian Shippers’ Council an Entry Summary Number (ENS) – in case of import to Nigeria – or an Exit Summary Number (EXS) – in case of Export departing from Nigeria. The ENS or EXS must show on the Bill of Lading and final manifest of the vessel.

The shipper of the cargo is the person responsible for the declaration procedure in advance with information relating to the cargo. The procedure must ensure that the said declaration is correctly made.

In the case of a Chartered vessel, the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) shall be completed by the Chartered who issues the Bill of Lading and not by the company owning the vessel.