Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nigerian Traders Call for Establishment of National Commercial Courts

 BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

A group of Nigerian traders under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) (http://www.nants.org/) has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to urgently establish the National Commercial Courts.


This call is contained in a statement by it National President, Mr. Ben Ukaoha Esq. adding that this is to facilitate the quick dispensation and resolution of purely (within the border) commercial disputes, particularly as concerns the implementation of regional policies in member states. This consideration would have a positive spill-over effect on intra-regional trade.

Mr. Ken Ukaoha Esq NANTS President


On the need for synergy between National Laws and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty, he observed that there is greater need for synergy between national laws and ECOWAS Treaty and Protocols in other to fast-track compliance of the latter by member states.

In order to strengthen the legal department of NANTS, Ukaoha noted that the legal department of NANTS needs to be strengthened in order to formidably assist in seeking redress and/or represent traders in actionable matters in the Courts, particularly when and where their “rights to trade” are infringed upon through arbitrary imposition of rules.

Others are unnecessary delays of goods at the border resulting in loses to the importer/exporter, harassments of women cross border traders, illegal non-tariff barriers, etc.

He called for specific sanctions for member states that have more than the approved number of check points on border routes. One serious bane of integration in ECOWAS is the lack or absence of sanction mechanism to deter member states officials from the tendency of impunity and arbitrariness in operations and enforcement of rules or adherence to obligations.

According to him, there should be a developed regional emblem/sticker to be used on goods that have passed custom checks. This would reduce and or eliminate repeated checks which cause undue delays at the borders.

“In the same vein, Security arrangements at border points and along border routes should be harmonized to avoid multiple checks and harassment of importers," he stated.”

On ways to improved inter-agency coordination, NANTS National President said there should be greater inter-agency cooperation at the borders, particularly, between the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of all member states.

“In fact, ECOWAS should work towards designing a proper coordination mechanism which binds the Customs of member states together even with frequent meetings with other agencies located at the border,” he further stated.

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