From Idu Jude Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Akuteh Pius Ukeyima has hinted that the Shipper’s Act 1987, needs urgent parliamentary review to fall in line with the 21st-Century International Maritime policies.
Barr. Ukeyima, made this known on Tuesday, in Abuja while briefing the press shortly after the opening ceremony of the 2024 edition of the Maritime Seminar for Judges and maritime experts.
He explained, that this has become necessary, for the Marine sector which is evolving and fast-moving with a lot of innovations coming up. ” I can tell you that there have been so many changes, even with some of the conventions that we have adopted over the years, there are some basic requirements that the country should adopt, and there are laws and new regulations. The fact is that we need to bring these rules with speed to the new realities of the maritime sector. And most importantly, Mr. 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. It is very important to us and we are hoping that the law would give us a regulatory framework that would provide regulatory services, especially on how to come about the efficiency of this sector so that business will grow and the Nigerian economy will be better off.
Commenting on the benefits of the years of collaboration with the Judiciary, he informed that the Nigerian Shipper’s Council has benefited a lot such as the recommendations of conferences in the past which gave birth to ‘Admiralty laws’ in the Federal High Courts. “I can say that there are lots of benefits coming, with regards to this conference and I am sure that by the time this ongoing conference comes to an end, there will be more benefits because we have put together, an array of Maritime experts that are here and when we enter the technical section, we would see the quality we have around. And all of us would be educated on the new trends in the maritime sector as far as law and regulations are concerned”.
Accordingly, he said that the gathering, which has been happening for 32 years, has enshrined the relationship targeted at educating both the maritime experts and Judges on the new international rules as a guide to the rule of law.
“As you can see this is the 17th gathering and over the years, this gathering has brought together eminent jurists and experts in maritime law to discuss issues within maritime law to educate the judges and even the practitioners in this field of law to promote the efficiency of the court proceedings. We are hopeful that by the time the new Shipper’s Council Amended Act is out, the sector will be well harnessed”, He concluded.