CJN charges judges on Local Content laws

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has adviced judges to rely on the various laws in resolving disputes arising from the oil and gas industry.

Justice Onnoghen gave the advice at the opening of a workshop on Nigeria’s Local Content Development and Monitoring (Law and Policy) for various judges in Abuja recently.

Justice Onnoghen said the provisions of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 in settling disputes arising from the clauses in Oil and Gas Servicing and Exploration Contracts, and to also encourage Alternative Dispute Resolution methods in their courts.

Justice Onnoghen charged the judges to maintain the standard set by the judiciary in ensuring the sustenance of the country’s democracy.

“It is on record, My Lords, that the timely interventions of the court at critical points in this country have certainly contributed in no small measure to the peace and stability of the country today,” he said.

“I make bold to say, without any fear of contradiction, that the Nigerian Judiciary is a key partner in ensuring stability in the oil and gas sector by interpretation of the relevant laws to the industry,” he added.

Also speaking the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo charged judges not to allow technicalities hinder substantive justice in oil and gas disputes which accrue huge financial costs for the litigating parties.

Represented by the Institutes’ secretary, Abubakar Maitama, she commended the efforts of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB) in creating employment and improve the nation’s economy.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simi Wabote stated that with a proven reserve of 37 billion barrels of crude oil, Nigeria has the second largest oil reserves in Africa and 10th largest in the world, as well as the largest gas reserve in Africa with 180 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

He said the capital flight and loss of jobs witnessed in the sector in fabrication, engineering and procurement before the board was established has been addressed.

“There is enhanced capacity for fabrication with over 60,000 tonnes per year capacity available in-country. Creation over 30,000 direct jobs, and achieved over 6 million training manhours,” he said.