Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has agreed to work alongside the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) in its efforts to promote a strong and vibrant indigenous merchant marine sector for the country. This was during a courtesy call by the Executive of ISAN on the leadership of the NMLA penultimate week.

The President of the Indigenous Ship Owners Association, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, had said the body is committed to continued advocacy towards the development of indigenous ship ownership, with a strategy that has seen it consulting and collaborating with key organizations like NIMASA, NNPC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, NPA and the NMLA. He stressed that increased interest and involvement by the NMLA in the activities of ISAN will be of tremendous value to both organizations and urged the lawyers' body to assist in the campaign to achieve the goals of ISAN.

Responding, the NMLA First Vice-President, Mr. Louis Mbanefo (SAN) expressed the association's readiness to work with ISAN, but noted that as lawyers, the association will be able to respond better with specific and clear cut requests or instructions from ISAN on issues for which the associations' assistance is needed. He noted that though NMLA is a member of the CMI and therefore able to provide input in international committee meetings, hardly does it get input or feedback from the Nigerian government and maritime operators in the industry. He pointed out that such input is necessary so as to better align the country's interests within the framework of international maritime conventions.