The Federal Government has linked the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime justice system to the country’s trade competitiveness, warning that delays in resolving maritime disputes are increasing import costs, discouraging investment and undermining efforts to unlock the potential of the blue economy.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association.
He said maritime justice should not be viewed as a narrow legal issue but as a critical economic imperative with direct implications for governance, trade and national development, calling for stronger collaboration among key institutions to build a more efficient maritime justice system.
“When a maritime claim is delayed in court, trade suffers. When a ship arrest is poorly executed, investor confidence falls. When cargo liability disputes go unresolved, the cost of importing essential goods rises, and it is ordinary Nigerians who bear that cost,” the SGF said.
According to him, these are economic realities that fall within the mandate of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Federal Government policies and programmes across ministries, departments and agencies.
