The federal government has urged stakeholders in the maritime sector to collaborate in eliminating corruption, a major obstacle hindering the industry’s development in Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 17th edition of the International Maritime Seminar in Abuja, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Senator George Akume, expressed concern that corruption significantly undermines the sector’s efficiency and growth.
“Corruption is a significant impediment to development and efficiency in any society. It increases the cost of doing business, limits economic growth, negatively impacts social well-being, deprives the government of legitimate revenue, and tarnishes the country’s image.
“I, therefore, call on all stakeholders to work harmoniously to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the maritime industry,” he emphasised.
“This seminar provides a crucial opportunity for judicial officers to interact and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to resolve maritime disputes efficiently and effectively.
“I assure the organisers and participants of this seminar that the administration of President Tinubu remains committed to fulfilling its international, regional, and sub-regional obligations, particularly concerning the international conventions, treaties, and agreements Nigeria has signed.
“I am aware that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s enabling Act, promulgated in 1978, requires revision to address recent developments in the maritime sector adequately.
“Our administration therefore supports the ongoing efforts of the National Assembly towards enacting a robust port economic regulatory framework for the port sector,” he affirmed.
Also addressing the seminar, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in repealing its Act CAP N113 LFN and enacting the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2024.
This move aims to align with current realities and maximise the benefits of ongoing reforms once the legislation is enacted into law.
“As you are aware, if our business laws are harmonised, it would go a long way in enhancing international investment, reducing transportation and transactional costs, and promoting the ease of intra- and inter-African trade, which is currently encouraged by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.”.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, explained that the seminar, which has been happening for the last 32 years, has brought together eminent jurists and experts in maritime law to discuss issues within maritime law with the aim of equipping judges with maritime knowledge in order to promote the efficiency of court proceedings in maritime law.
Akutah emphasised the need for the Act establishing the Council to be repealed in order to accommodate new developments and realities in the industry.
“We need to bring this law to speed and bring it to the modern realities of the maritime sector. The President has found it necessary to focus attention on the maritime sector to grow the economy; therefore, we need a very strong law that is capable of providing for the modern realities of the sector.
“So it’s very important for us, and we are hoping that that law will give us the regulatory framework that will provide the regulatory services in the sector, especially to improve the efficiency of this sector so that businesses will grow and the Nigerian economy will be better off, for if it is so, there are a lot of benefits from having this law passed,” he stated.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE