Saraki Expresses Concerns over Domination of Maritime Sector by Foreigners, Hints of National Shipping Line Establishment

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*Calls for increased capacity building
*As Ag CJN commends NSC on maritime seminar for judges
By Francis Ugwoke
The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki on Tuesday expressed concerns over the domination of the nation’s maritime sector by foreign shipowners, saying this was having negative economic impact on the country and the sub-region.
Saraki noted that most of the maritime transportation was conducted by foreign shipowners, adding that this was limiting the economic benefits accruable to the nation and the sub-region.
Speaking on the occasion of the ongoing 16th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, the Minister said this ugly scenario called for capacity building in the maritime sector.
Saraki who was represented by the Director of Procurement in the Ministry, Husseini Adamu in a keynote address said that in view of the situation, the development of a national fleet becomes imperative.
She disclosed that the present administration was looking into ways of encouraging the establishment of a private sector-driven national shipping line to ensure maximum exploitation of the potentials in the maritime industry.
‘’A Ministerial Committee has been working on this important initiative and I look forward to having their concrete recommendations for immediate implementation’’, she said.
On the seminar for judges, she explained that the objective was to equip participants, particularly judges with contemporary knowledge of the complex and dynamic subject of Admiralty Law and Practice.
She disclosed that the seminar series have contributed immensely in charting the policy direction of government in the maritime sector, adding that government will continue to rely on the important outcomes of this forum for policy enunciation.
The Minister also reiterated the commitment of the federal government towards the implementation of various initiatives on the ease of doing business in the maritime sector in order to open up all the potentials of the Nigerian business environment
She said, ‘’For our friends who are attending the Seminar for the first time, let me highlight, albeit briefly, that the main objective of the Seminar, is to equip and strengthen the capacity of our Judges and Justices of Superior Courts of record namely the Federal and State High Courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court as well as relevant stakeholders in the Maritime Industry with contemporary knowledge of the complex and dynamic subject of Admiralty Law and Practice, as well as the ever challenging dynamics of international trade as it affects the administration of Admiralty cases in Nigeria.
‘’The importance of speedy and efficient dispensation of maritime matters by the courts can never be over-emphasized because, as we all know, in international commercial transactions, time is money and it is even more so in a multi-billion dollar industry like ours.
‘’I must commend the sustainability of the partnership between the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and National Judicial Institute which dates back to 1995.This strategic partnership stemmed from the recognition of the need to specially furnish our judicial officers with the requisite knowledge to assist them in facilitating expeditious dispensation of justice in maritime cases in our courts.
‘’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. It is therefore commendable that this seminar has created a veritable forum where prominent jurists and legal luminaries come together to rub minds on how to enhance the competitiveness and economic viability of our maritime industry, not only through the capacity building of the judicial officers, but indeed also in tackling some of the crucial issues on the front burner of maritime discourse both locally and globally. This will no doubt increase the confidence of investors in the industry, since it is obvious that an efficient, lucid, predictable and stable legal system plays a very significant role in attracting investors.
‘’It is worth mentioning that this seminar series have contributed immensely in charting the policy direction of government in the maritime sector. I am happy to state that government will continue to rely on the important outcomes of this forum for policy enunciation’’.
She also pointed out the maritime sector offers the best prospects in the decades to come, for the reinvigoration of the economies of coastal states such as Nigeria, through the diligent harvesting of the opportunities offered by the Blue Economy.
‘’The role of the law in understanding, navigating and resolving all regulatory and contending issues in this sector cannot be over-emphasised and must therefore continue to be enhanced. We must therefore, all join hands together to diligently develop this very important sector, not only for the purpose of generating revenue to Government but also for the creation of wealth and employment for the teeming young graduates produced year in, year out by our tertiary institutions’’, she said.
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola described the seminar as an important aspect of capacity building for judges and other stakeholders
Justice Ariwoola said the National Policy on Justice lays emphasis on continuous training as one of the critical elements that guarantees the independence of the Judiciary.
According to him, training adds value to the quality and efficiency of the judicial system which the judiciary is known for.
He added, ‘’No doubt capacity is integral part of the legal profession for members of the Nigerian Bar irrespective of your chosen field as a judicial officer or a legal practitioner.
‘’In light of the foregoing, this seminar is designed to 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’’
Justice Ariwoola commended the NSC and the NJI for organizing the seminar for judges
He said, “Let me stress here that the National Policy on Justice, lay emphasis on continuous training as one of the critical elements that guarantees the independence of the Judiciary; in addition, training will also add value to the quality and efficiency of the judicial system, which the judiciary is known for.
“I can say without contradiction that Judges who have experienced and participated in this Seminar in the past, have become better equipped with knowledge of rudimentary maritime laws necessary in handling complex maritime claims/cases,”
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime in his vote of thanks expressed delight following the impressive turnout of judges, legal officers and other stakeholders who attended the programme.
Jime particularly commended Nigeria’s Ag Chief Judge, other high court judges as well as the Chief Justices of Ghana, The Gambia and Sierra Leone who sent representatives for the event.