By Chris Agabi
A strong and independent judiciary, where court decisions are transparent, fair, timely, and adhere to internationally recognized norms, is essential for encouraging both foreign and local private sector investment, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) H.E. Senator George Akume has said.
He stated in Abuja at the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges held on the this on Tuesday July 19th 2024.
The event was organised by the organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute since 1995.
The SGF also said corruption is a big disincentive doing business in the maritime space.
“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” he said.
“I call on all stakeholders to work together to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the maritime industry” the SGF called.
Hon. Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge, Federal High Court said the International Maritime Seminar for Judges has over the years assumed a distinctive characteristic of not only building the capacity of Nigerian Judges, by updating their knowledge on admiralty law, but, quite significantly, by influencing profound government policies, as well as legislative and judicial pronouncements in the field of the maritime industry and international trade.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Barr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima said there are some basic requirements that we should adopt in their laws and we need to bring the law to speed to modern realities of the maritime sector and today, Mr. Presidnet has found it necessary to focus attention in the maritime sector to grow the economy.
“So, we need a very strong law that is capable of providing for the modern relaities of this sector.
” We hope the law will give us the regulatory framework to provide regulatory service in this sector especially to come about the efficiency of the sector so that the business will grow and Nigerian economy will be better for it,” he said.
