Nigeria to Implement IOPC Fund

• Nigeria to Implement IOPC Fund

The Federal Government has expressed her commitment to the implementation of the 1992 International Civil Liability Convention and the 1992 International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund.

The international compensation regime as developed under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) comprise of two main conventions. They are the 1992 International Civil Liability convention and the 1992 International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Fund.

It is on record that Nigeria has ratified both conventions and she is expected to pursue its effective implementation in her maritime domain.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside said this at the 7th meeting of the National Standing Committee (NSC) on the implementation of the IOPC Fund and related conventions in in Abuja.

Peterside who was represented by the agency Director Abuja Zonal office, Mr. Ali Indabawa assured stakeholders that the agency is committed to the adequate implementation of the IOPC Fund and related conventions for the benefit of dwellers of coastal communities and the preservation of the marine environment.

“The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is working hard to ensure that our marine environment is free from all sorts of pollution. This entails preventing and controlling pollution from all sources such as ship based and land based sources”, he said.

According to him, the IMO has developed this compensation regime which helps victims of oil pollution damage to obtain compensation and for government to be reimbursed for cost of oil spill clean-up. Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Zakari Sabiu had earlier called on NIMASA and other relevant agencies to develop a strategic implementation plan in order to curb incidences of marine pollution and to effectively compensate victims when pollution occurs.

Sabiu who is also the Chairman of the National Standing Committee on the implementation of the IOPC and related conventions also urged members to work together to achieve the task ahead.

Besides her being the Chairperson, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) Nigeria and Managing Partner, Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co (Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators), the author is also a chartered arbitrator and a CEDR, United Kingdom accredited mediator. She holds the LLB [Hon] and LLM degrees in law from the University of Lagos and a masters of Arts degree [MA] with merit in International Peace and Security from King’s College London, University of London.

An awardee of the prestigious British Government Chevening Scholarship, she was nominated by the United States Information Services (USIS) to participate in the ‘Young African Leaders Programme’ in 1990 in recognition of her leadership qualities.

She is listed on various international and domestic Arbitration/ADR panels including the database of London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the database of LCIA-MIAC Arbitration Centre, Panel of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Kigali International Arbitration Centre(KIAC), Kuala Lumpur and Lagos Regional Centres for International Commercial Centre, Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi-door Court House and Abuja Multi-door Courthouse.

Rhodes-Vivour is listed in editions of the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, Who’s Who Legal and recognized as one of the world’s leading arbitrators. She is also listed in editions of Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts as a preeminent professional in the field of arbitration. Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour is described by Who is Who Legal as “second to none for her skill and versatile thinking”.

Nominated by Nigeria as a member of the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague, The Netherlands, Rhodes-Vivour is a member of the ICC Paris Commission on Arbitration and ADR, SIAC Users Council Africa Regional Committee, International Law Association (ILA) International Committee on International Commercial Arbitration headquartered in London and the pioneer Chair, Committee on International Commercial Arbitration of the International Law Association (ILA) Nigerian Branch.

She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, pioneer Board of Directors of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, pioneer Board of Governors, Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre, Governing Council of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Council of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.