All is now set for the establishment of a Maritime Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre in the country, the Maritime Arbitration Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has said.
The centre which will be located in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos is expected to give impetus to the quest of Nigeria, nay Nigerians to make the country a destination for the resolution of maritime disputes through ADR as it is obtainable in the developed maritime world, especially London, United Kingdom and New York, United States of America (USA),
Apart from creating job opportunities, the establishment of the centre in Nigeria will also reduce the time needed to resolve maritime disputes and the loss of scarce foreign exchange since the parties to disputes no longer need to travel overseas to seek redress.
The President of MAAN, Mr. Bodunrin Adewole dropped the hint in his welcome address at the just concluded two days 12th practical maritime dispute and resolution seminar which took place at the conference hall, Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), Lekki Phase One.
To ensure the success of the initiative, Adewole also disclosed that the establishment of the Maritime Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre will be done in collaboration with LCA and other critical stakeholders in the maritime industry and beyond.
Explaining the rationale for the establishment of the centre, the MAAN President said: “It is expected that sustainable development in the maritime and blue economy in the West Africa Sub-region and Africa as a whole, will inexorably lead to a surge in dispute between users, providers and regulators for which a specialized maritime arbitration and ADR centre is urgently required.
“The Maritime Arbitration Association of Nigeria (MAAN) and the collaborating host are committed to the promotion and sustainability of international best practices in the maritime arbitration and ADR through the creation and establishment of a Maritime Arbitration and ADR Centre in Lagos. It is expected that the establishment of the centre will have an added advantage of promoting Nigeria as a maritime hub and an attractive venue for the settlement of maritime disputes through arbitration and ADR in the West African Sub-region and indeed Africa as a whole”.
Regarded as MAAN flagship event, the 12th practical maritime dispute and resolution seminar with the theme “Sustainable Development and Maritime Arbitration in Africa” also featured a highlight of the new Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 and its impact on maritime arbitration and ADR practices in the country.
There were also discussion on freight forwarding activities and the seafarers’ rights and how disputes in these areas might be resolved through small claims procedures, mediation and arbitration.
The Vice President, MAAN, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN and Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN were some of the panelists in the panel of discussion which also took place at the seminar.
Anishere and Agbor took turns to give an insight to the provisions of the new Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 among other issues of interest.
The seminar was attended by participants from the maritime industry and beyond including lawyers and judges.
