The National Judicial Institute (NJI) will hold a workshop on Local Content Law on March 6 for judges.
Former Chef Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore said the event planned for Abuja, is intended to equip judges with the understanding of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Belgore noted that such training was necessary for the successful implementation of NOGICD Act and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB operational guidelines.
He said: “Considering the enormous positive impact this legislation is intended to have in the country’s oil and gas industry, and by extension, the nation’s economy, clear understanding of the philosophy and intended objectives of the Act by our judges and justices is considered critical to its sound interpretation, effective compliance and enforcement.
“NCDMB has tried since inception, using the carrot approach to get the operators and oil servicing companies to comply with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
“It is time for the Judiciary to move the industry into the next gear by applying the stick within the rule of Law so that the objectives of the Local Content Act can be realised for the benefit of all,” Belgore said.
The ex-CJN observed that NOGICD Act was enacted to build, promote and develop local capacity through human capital development, technology transfer and job creation.
A Professor of Energy Law and Policy, Niyi Ayoola-Daniels said the workshop, being held by NJI, Juris Law Office and NCDMB, is part of efforts by the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Kesiye Wabote to promote the understanding of the law among critical stakeholders.
Ayoola-Daniels, founder of Juris Law Office, said NCDM’s preference for the rule of law, as against deploying other means to achieve its objective, informed his support for the workshop.
The workshop is expected to be declared open by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, while the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa and the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdul-Kafarati, are expected in attend it.
The Nation
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