The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has urged the Maritime Arbitrators of Nigeria (MAN) to ensure quick and speedy resolution of disputes in the maritime industry.
The Acting Managing Director of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, made this known in a statement by Mr Ibrahim Nasiru, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, in Lagos on Wednesday.
The NPA boss spoke in Lagos when he received the newly elected executives of the Maritime Arbitrators of Nigeria who visited him in his office.
Bello-Koko noted that failure to promptly address perceived grievances would be inimical to the growth and development of the maritime sector.
He said to forestall situations that result in prolonged litigations among players in the industry, the NPA would support MAN in its efforts to establish an Arbitration Centre in Lagos.
“The centre, when established, will help to fast track conflict resolution within Sub Saharan Africa.
“Disagreements are bound to happen amongst players in the industry but stakeholders need to approach the centre rather than take the path of litigations which are oftentimes not necessary, time consuming and costly,” he said.
Bello-Koko expressed delight over the decade-long synergy between both agencies in the area of support, consultancy and exchange of ideas that had been beneficial to them and the industry at large.
The NPA boss lauded the impacts of maritime arbitrators in solving legal issues in the past, saying the NPA was poised to give all the necessary support to the body to achieve a conducive business environment.
He urged the group to further seek support from the authorities at the Ministry of Transport and Justice respectively.
He explained that it would effectively enhance their operations in the enforcement of disputes at the nation’s seaports.
Leader of the team, Mr Bodunrin Adewole, said they were at the NPA to intimate the management of their recent election into office and to solicit the agency’s support.
Adewole suggested the establishment of a Complaint Desk at the ports across the country.
He noted that it would help fast track dispute resolution, which he said the MAN authorities were willing to key into.
He stressed that MAN was of the view that swift resolution of disputes at the ports would automatically enhance efficiency and also assist the NPA to realise its mission statement.
