NIMASA Commissions Consultant for International Arbitration Centre In Lagos

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Director General of Nigerin Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Bashir Jamoh has said the agency has commissioned a consultant for the establishment of the International Arbitration Centre in Lagos.

Establishment of the arbitration center will significantly reduce ­the current trend where maritime players in the region head to London, Dubai or Singapore for arbitration on maritime issues.

The DG who was speaking when a delegation from the Maritime Arbitration Association of Nigeria (MAAN) led by the President, Mr Bodunrin Adewole paid a courtesy visit to the agency, noted that the Arbitration center would further enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

DAILY TREND reports that there are existing Arbitration Centres in Nigeria, but they were not established to deal exclusively with maritime disputes. Hence, this has made it imperative for Nigeria to have a Maritime disputes resolution Centre.

Speaking at the meeting, Jamoh said “In NIMASA, we have gone far, we have already commissioned a consultant and the framework for the International Arbitration Centre.

“Promoting commercial maritime disputes is one of the key elements that would FasTrack the ease of doing business. If we cannot have a very good judicial system and Justice, it is going to be very difficult for the international community to accept whatever we think we have.

“In so doing, we really need support from bodies like MAAN, not only support, but facilitating our own domestic products and International Arbitration when it comes toto maritime matters” Jamoh said

Vice President of MAAN, Jean Chiazor Anishere stated that NIMASA should consider the help of MAAN when issues of dispute resolution arise in the industry.

According to her “Dispute would definitely occure, but would be resolved not only through litigation but ADR which MAAN is known for”

The chairman of membership committee of MAAN, Barr Emmanuel Osuala Nwagbara urged the NIMASA DG to encourage staff of NIMASA to enroll as members of MAAN, and also stated the importance of having NIMASA staff as MAAN members.