The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced a roundtable to address the controversies trailing the proposed introduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).
The leading maritime media beat association in the industry, said the all important roundtable would examine all pertinent issues and controversies surrounding the concept and proffer lasting solutions.
It will bring together relevant players in the industry under one roof at the MARAN International Press Centre in Apapa on Thursday, February 27, 2025 to dissect the subject matter and point to the way forward.
Some of the key stakeholders expected at the event include Dr. Eugene Nweke of the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC), while Managing Director, Widescope Group, Dr. Segun Musa,
will be on hand to deliver an insightful address.
Other critical stakeholders expected at the event include Dr. Alban Igwe of the Importers Association of Nigeria and a representative from the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS).
Two critical government agencies; the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) that warehouses the ICTN, shall be delivering a paper on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN: NSC’s Perspective,” while the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the former custodian of the project, shall also be speaking on “Prospect And Challenges Of Proposed ICTN: NPA’s Perspective” on that day.
Speaking on the need for the roundtable, President, MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere,
disclosed that there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding the issue to rest once and for all.
His words: “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 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.”