The Maritime Association of Nigeria (MARAN) says the controversies trailing the planned introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) will be discussed at its roundabout on Feb. 27.
Mr Godfrey Bivbere, MARAN President disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Bivbere said that pertinent issues and controversies surrounding the concept and proffer lasting solutions would be done at the roundtable.
The roundtable will bring together relevant players in the industry under one roof at the MARAN International Press Center in Apapa.
Some of the key stakeholders expected at the event include Dr Eugene Nweke of the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC), Dr Segun Musa, Managing Director, Widescope Group.
Other critical stakeholder expected at the event include Dr Alban Igwe of Importers Association of Nigeria and a representative from the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS).
Two critical government agencies, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, who warehouses the ICTN, shall be delivering a paper on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN: NSC’s Perspective”, while the Nigeria Ports Authority, former custodian of the project ,shall also be speaking on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN, NPA’s Perspective”,” he said.
Speaking on the need for the roundtable, Bivbere disclosed that there was an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding the issue to rest.
“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 polarised the maritime industry and as the leading maritime beat association in Nigeria and in furtherance of our advocacy role, MARAN decided to bring all the contending players under one roof to settle this issue.
“This was in order to move forward and develop the sector which is very critical to the nation’s economy,” Bivbere said.
