By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) has commenced a 4- day sensitisation training program for market women on commercial conflict resolution in the federal capital territory (FCT).
Tagged “Abuja Mediation Week, Promoting Peaceful Coexistence in Markets”, the training, according to GIZ National Policy Advisor, Catherine Ogini is targeted at improving the commercial trading environment of traders especially in the markets located within the FCT.
The ICMC, in partnership with SEDIN- NICOP, has been working in the focal states to improve the mechanisms for commercial dispute resolution geared towards an improved business environment and investment climate in the states.
The mediation week is one of the areas of support under the partnership between SEDIN and ICMC with the objectives to increase awareness on the alternative commercial dispute resolution channels available and to scale up the adoption of the mediation approach.
Speaking during the event at the Garki International Market Abuja on Monday, the Chairperson of (ICMC) FCT branch, Dr Rose Chikwendu said the “Training is facilitating local economic development, strengthening selected value chains, fostering economic literacy and entrepreneurship competencies for start-ups and existing businesses, and improving the employment situation of traders,”
She further stated that in partnership with different organizations, the Institute has been working in the focal states to improve the mechanisms for commercial dispute resolution geared towards an improved business environment and investment climate in the states.
She added that mediation becomes imperative in business environments especially markets to increase awareness on the alternative commercial dispute resolution channels available to traders.
Dr Chikwendu said the Institute intends to expand the training to different sectors of the economy so as to cover a broader population of Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, adding that the programme had been launched in five other states of the Federation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Volunteer Mediators Scheme committee of the ICMC, Dr Loius Brown Ogbeifun listed the advantages of the initiative to include flexibility and confidentiality of the process, quick, no cost to the disputes and energy that would have been used in litigation or self help.
He said, besides the ICMC’s Initiative, “it is suitable for all business owners to know that instead of resorting to self help, they will be introduced to the tool of of mediation which they could quickly deploy to resolve conflicts emanating from their day-to-day business relationships effectively “.
