Maritime Justice Reform Key To Trade, Investment – Says SGF Akume
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
The Federal Government says it will implement recommendations from the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, describing reforms to Nigeria’s maritime justice system as essential to boosting trade, attracting investment and unlocking the country’s blue economy.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the commitment at the opening of the three day seminar in Abuja on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.
Akume said delays in resolving maritime disputes weaken trade, reduce investor confidence and increase the cost of imported goods. “When a maritime claim is delayed in court, trade suffers. When a ship arrest is poorly executed, investor confidence falls. When cargo liability disputes go unresolved, the cost of importing essential goods rises, and it is ordinary Nigerians who bear that cost,” he said.
He said his office would support implementation of the seminar’s resolutions, including those requiring legislative amendments, executive action and collaboration among government institutions. Recommendations requiring changes to existing laws, he said, would be channelled through the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Justice, while matters involving ratification of international conventions would receive executive consideration.
“The work done in this hall over the next three days should not remain in this hall. It must find expression in policy, legislation, institutional reform and ultimately in the daily experience of every Nigerian who does business through our ports or seeks justice in our courts,” Akume said.
He said an efficient maritime justice system is central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the blue economy and called for closer coordination among the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal High Court.
The seminar, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, brought together judges, maritime law experts and stakeholders from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Kenya and Liberia to discuss contemporary issues in maritime law and dispute resolution.