THE newly introduced Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), designed for security of goods and ports facilities in the nation’s seaports, is expected to rake in 6.0 million Euros or N1.2 billion to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2010, its first year of commencement. With the whopping sum, expected to increase in subsequent years, provision of port infrastructures and marine services are expected to receive a big boost in the port system.
This disclosure was made at the weekend by the managing director of the NPA, Mallam Abdul Salam Mohammed, in a chat with BusinessWorld in his office.
He explained that the controversies generated by the introduction of the scheme on January 11, after its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), was quite unnecessary if people had understood what it was all about. Abdul Salam explained the rationale behind its introduction, informing that it was an international initiative designed to safeguard ships and ports facilities after the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack in the United States of America.
Cargo tracking came up as a result of the 9/11 terrorists attack in the United States. You know the devastation that came with it. However, oil vandals have vowed to frustrate the new project as they have reasoned that the process is inimical to the execution of their nefarious activities.