By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

Stakeholders in the maritime sector have indicated interest to attend a roundtable discussion organised by the foremost maritime beat association, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN on International Cargo Tracking Note, ICTN, reintroduced by the Federal government.

The event is scheduled to hold on February 27, 2025 at the MARAN Secretariats in Apapa.

A statement from the association stated that 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 roundtable, the MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere, disclosed that there is an urgent need to put the controversies surrounding ICTN to rest.

H stated: “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”, Bivbere said.

Meanwhile, invited guest speakers and stakeholders have confirmed their readiness to attend the program and share their opinions on the subject matter.