Judiciary key to developing blue economy, says Dakuku

Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s)
Director-General Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said the Judiciary is key
to developing a blue economy.

Peterside spoke at the opening of the 7th Strategic Admiralty
Law Seminar for Judges, with the theme: ‘’Towards effective
Admiralty in a Blue Economy”.

The seminar, which was organised by NIMASA and the Nigeria
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), in Lagos, is to equip
judges with skills to resolve maritime disputes on time.

He said: “In initiating this event, the agency is not unaware of
the complex and time-sensitive nature of maritime issues and their
attendant requirement for speedy resolutions often through judicial
pronouncements by superior courts of records. The scenario no doubt
puts pressure not only on those entrusted with the responsibility
of responding to the economic exigencies, but also on judicial
officers responsible for balancing important notions of justice,
contract and the law.”

The director general noted that the seminar over the years is
aimed at sensitising judges on contemporary maritime law issues
within and outside Nigerian jurisdiction as shipping is a
multi-jurisdictional enterprise.

He added that in line with NIMASA’s commitment towards ensuring
capacity building for critical stakeholders, the agency decided to
expand the scope of attendees to cover justices of the Court of
Appeal because of their critical roles in the dispensation of
justice.

“This seminar was initiated by NIMASA for judges of the Federal
High Court bearing in mind the exclusive jurisdiction of the court
over admiralty matters.

‘’Over the years, however, the participating audience was
expanded to include judges of the State High Courts of littoral
states and now justices of the Court of Appeal because of their
critical roles in the dispensation of justice in admiralty
matters,” he said.

Peterside said NIMASA realised the need for increased
partnership with stakeholders, such as the judiciary, in the
actualisation of “our collective vision for environmental, social
and economic growth and the sustainability of our shipping and
maritime transport sector in a blue economy”.

NIALS Director General Prof. Deji Adekunle commended the NIMASA
leadership for its continuous collaboration with relevant
stakeholders to advance the maritime industry.

He said the institute would continue to collaborate with the
agency and provide assistance to ensure a safe and secure maritime
space.

Present at the event include former Chief Judge of the Federal
High Court Justice Ibrahim Auta and Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.

Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s)
Director-General Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said the Judiciary is key
to developing a blue economy.

Peterside spoke at the opening of the 7th Strategic Admiralty
Law Seminar for Judges, with the theme: ‘’Towards effective
Admiralty in a Blue Economy”.

The seminar, which was organised by NIMASA and the Nigeria
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), in Lagos, is to equip
judges with skills to resolve maritime disputes on time.

He said: “In initiating this event, the agency is not unaware of
the complex and time-sensitive nature of maritime issues and their
attendant requirement for speedy resolutions often through judicial
pronouncements by superior courts of records. The scenario no doubt
puts pressure not only on those entrusted with the responsibility
of responding to the economic exigencies, but also on judicial
officers responsible for balancing important notions of justice,
contract and the law.”

The director general noted that the seminar over the years is
aimed at sensitising judges on contemporary maritime law issues
within and outside Nigerian jurisdiction as shipping is a
multi-jurisdictional enterprise.

He added that in line with NIMASA’s commitment towards ensuring
capacity building for critical stakeholders, the agency decided to
expand the scope of attendees to cover justices of the Court of
Appeal because of their critical roles in the dispensation of
justice.

“This seminar was initiated by NIMASA for judges of the Federal
High Court bearing in mind the exclusive jurisdiction of the court
over admiralty matters.

‘’Over the years, however, the participating audience was
expanded to include judges of the State High Courts of littoral
states and now justices of the Court of Appeal because of their
critical roles in the dispensation of justice in admiralty
matters,” he said.

Peterside said NIMASA realised the need for increased
partnership with stakeholders, such as the judiciary, in the
actualisation of “our collective vision for environmental, social
and economic growth and the sustainability of our shipping and
maritime transport sector in a blue economy”.

NIALS Director General Prof. Deji Adekunle commended the NIMASA
leadership for its continuous collaboration with relevant
stakeholders to advance the maritime industry.

He said the institute would continue to collaborate with the
agency and provide assistance to ensure a safe and secure maritime
space.

Present at the event include former Chief Judge of the Federal
High Court Justice Ibrahim Auta and Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.