Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Dr. Segun Musa, Managing Director of Widescope Nigeria Limited and National Vice President of the Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), has strongly criticized the reintroduction of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), calling it a fraudulent policy that will further harm Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking during a visit from the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) at his company’s headquarters in Lagos, Musa argued that ICTN is redundant, as it merely duplicates the existing Customs Risk Assessment Report used to profile incoming cargo.
He warned that its implementation would inflate the cost of cargo clearance, adding that his petition to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had previously led to the suspension of ICTN at airports.
“ICTN is a fraud. This is the fastest way of killing the economy. We are waiting for them,” Musa declared.
Musa urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to embrace full automation in cargo clearance, stating that the current system remains inefficient and prone to corruption. He called for the elimination of middlemen and the adoption of a digital system where individuals, not companies, are accountable for their transactions.
“I want to believe it is achievable. We are against the use of companies; individuals should clear cargo with their identity numbers. From inspection to delivery, everything must be automated. This is where the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service will come to play,” he said.
The freight forwarder also reiterated his controversial stance on privatizing the Nigeria Customs Service, asserting that revenue collection should not be the agency’s primary focus. According to him, revenue generation can be handled by a private consortium, while Customs should concentrate on border security and trade facilitation.
“I was the lone voice calling for the privatization of the Customs. Anybody can generate revenue; what we need is transparency. The PIDA did it under General Sani Abacha. If Customs remains opaque, I will not hesitate to call on the government to privatize it,” Musa vowed.
He further criticized the frequent increases in Customs duties and revenue targets, describing them as indicators of a failing economy. He also called for an investigation into the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS), which he labeled as an illegal policy that should have been challenged in court.
On Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Musa expressed concerns that the country lacks the production capacity and infrastructure to compete, warning that it risks becoming a dumping ground for foreign goods.
“We don’t have the production capacity to tap into AfCFTA. We may likely become the dumping ground because we no longer have strong local manufacturers,” he warned.
Musa also criticized the closure of land borders over rice imports, calling it an irrational decision given Nigeria’s inability to produce enough rice to meet domestic demand.
Assessing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, Musa dismissed the current efforts as ineffective.
“The blue economy has always existed; we just lack the right people in the right positions. The Minister loves talk shows and globetrotting, but how do you harness the blue economy without ships and equipment?” he asked.
Reflecting on 2024, Musa lamented the challenges faced by the maritime sector, including inconsistent government policies, fluctuating forex rates, and increased Customs pressure on importers. He also noted that the high cost of diesel affected transportation costs, while industry associations failed to protect stakeholders’ interests.