Worried by the domination of the nations shipping space by foreigners, who predominantly own the shipping lines, the federal government has reaffirmed its resolve to establish a national shipping line.
Speaking at the 16th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of state for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki said it was important for Nigeria to take charge of the shipping activities within the country in order to reap fully the economic benefits of the maritime sector.
Represented by the Director of Procurement, Useni Adamu, Saraki said, ” May l remind you of the need for capacity building in the maritime industry.
“It is a common knowledge that most of our maritime transportation is conducted by foreign shipowners, thereby limiting the economic benefits accruable to the nation and the sub-region in areas such as creation of jobs, freight and insurance earnings etc” she noted.
While welcoming Judges of Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of Sierra Leone and the Representatives of Supreme Court Judges from Ghana, Kenya and other West African countries, Saraki explained the need for continues engagement with the judiciary in ensuring smooth development of the maritime sector.
“My Lords, the lacuna created by the low penetration level in Maritime Law at the undergraduate levels of our Universities, coupled with the fast pace of development in international trade, exerts a lot of strain on our judicial officers some of whom are confronted with this special area of the law for the first time when Admiralty matters are brought before their courts for adjudication,” she stated.
In his Address, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola said “In light of the foregoing, this Seminar is designed among other things to acquaint participants with emerging trends in the sphere of Admiralty Law and the challenges that digitalization and globalization may throw up on the adjudication of admiralty matters.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Emmanuel Jime said “the task of organising and maintaining a high quality event like this, is understandably, not an easy one. It requires enormous commitment, sacrifice, dedication and patriotic duty and responsibility.
“It is therefore in this light that I want to thank the Chairman and members of the International Maritime Seminar for Judges Organisng Committee led by the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho for their untiring and priceless work done in putting all this together in spite of the unusual late start of the preparations.
