Shippers’ Council urges domestication of maritime treaties, conventions

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged the governments of West and Central African countries to develop an enduring framework for the implementation of International conventions and agreements that will facilitate trade in the region.

The executive secretary of the council, Barr.Hassan Bello, stressed the need for the domestication and implementation of the Convention on Facilitation of International Traffic otherwise known as FAL convention by countries in the region.
Barrister Bello had identified the main objectives of the FAL convention as prevention of unnecessary delays in maritime traffic, and aiding cooperation between governments in the region.

He also disclosed that the FAL convention will ensure the highest practicable degree of uniformity in formalities and other procedures, in addition to reducing the number of declarations which can be required by different agencies at the ports.

Also adding that considering the objectives of the FAL convention, the sub-region should pay attention to measures that will make the ports in the region to be more user friendly and attractive to international trade.

He said, “We need to work assiduously to ensure that necessary policies are put in place to reap the full benefits of the FAL convention by improving service delivery at our ports”.
Bello added that for the FAL Convention to be effectively implemented, it was imperative to domesticate legislation to give effect to the convention.

Participants at the meeting said implementation of the FAL convention will address issues of corruption and delays in the ports when ships berth to discharge cargos.

In his presentation titled “Overview of the Convention on the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention), the Director of Trade Facilitation and Transport Observatory, Cameroon National Shippers Council, Mr Nkondje Ekenglo Alex said the ratification of the FAL convention by member states will promote trade in the region.

Identifying corruption and delays in documentation in the system in his country which is also applicable to other countries as testified by participants, Ekenglo called for the establishment of a FAL National Committee with the aim to simplify procedures and ruling on certain issues related to the implementation of the convention.

The President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mr B. Ruwase who moderated the interactive session said it was imperative for member countries to brace up on the FAL convention to be able to have an efficient system .

Ruwase said if there was no efficiency, so much money will be lost. Member countries, including the land-locked states were enjoined to hold awareness workshop on the FAL convention because of its positive impact on trade facilitation