The Nigerian government has pledged to continue the process of ensuring that the Cape Town Convention on matters specific to Mining, Agricultural and Construction (MAC) Equipment Protocol is duly ratified.
The Chairman of the 78th Session of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Laws UNIDROIT General Assembly, Rome and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN who made the pledge was quoted as saying this while delivering his valedictory address at a virtual meeting of the 79th Session of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
In a statement issued on the 18th December, 2020 by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu in Abuja, Malami said Nigeria was committed to and has strong interest in the work of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Laws (UNIDROIT) in view of the high-level commercial content of the work of the Institute.
He noted that Mauritius, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom are working toward signing and ratification of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol and urged other Member States to follow suit.
Malami said during his tenure, significant progress was made in respect of substantive projects and institutional improvements despite COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The Outgoing Chairman noted that remarkable progress has been recorded in the implementation of the 2019 adopted Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on matters specific to Mining, Agricultural and Construction (MAC) Equipment.
According to Malami, a Preparatory Commission has been established to select a Registrar to operate the MAC Protocol International Registry and work towards the establishment of a Supervisory Authority.
He noted that the Commission negotiated and adopted the Rules of Procedure and considered several issues associated with the future operation of the International Registry.
He stressed further that at the UNIDROIT Governing Council session held in September, the final draft of the UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD Legal Guide on Agricultural Investment Contracts were adopted.
Also adopted, according to the Outgoing Chair, was the European Civil Procedure rules jointly developed by UNIDROIT and European Law Institute as well as the guidance document on existing texts in the area of international sale law.
Malami therefore expressed gratitude to all delegates for the opportunity to serve as the Chair and thanked them for their support in working through the issues before the Assembly.
Also speaking at the Session, the representative of the United State of America, Sam Rothenberg appreciated the leadership provided by Malami, saying it has contributed in the development of the goals of the Institute.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chair of the UNIDROIT Mr. J. Hidalgo (Mexico) thanked and appreciated Malami for the remarkable achievements recorded during his tenure.
