By Adedapo Adesanya

A Port Harcourt High Court has dismissed a N5.74 billion breach-of-contract suit filed by Macobarb International Limited against the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited.

The judge, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, ruled in favour of the gas giant, rejecting all claims by Macobarb in a judgment delivered on Wednesday in the case with suit number PHC/2013/CS/2022, centered on an alleged breach of terms in a contract awarded to Macobarb for access control works at the NLNG plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Recall that Macobarb International Limited, an indigenous contractor, had dragged the NLNG to court claiming over N1Bn (later amended to N5.74 billion) for alleged breaches to a contract (B130142PPI, Access Control) in the NLNG plant area with three years duration.

Justice Nwogu had ruled that the NLNG did not breach its contract with the contractor and that the gas company did not unlawfully deny Macobarb payments.

The judge said work executed by Macobarb did not amount to ‘work done’ as stated in the contract terms except the NLNG approved it as so, and that the provision mandating the person recognized as contract holder nominated by the NLNG as the one to authorize any dealings with the contractor did not mean that he alone could act for the NLNG as relied upon by the contractor.

The judge ruled that the contract holder was a mere day-to-day overseer of the project, and that any official mandated by the NLNG can terminate the contract.

The judge also ruled that the contract did not provide for stand down payment and that the NLNG did not cause delays in the execution of the contract as claimed by the contractor.

The judge also ruled that the payment failures by the NLNG that the contractor claimed affected the contract did not amount to an offence or breach of the contract but that the contractor misused the loan he obtained from banks.

In the end, the judge ruled in favour of all the grounds submitted by the NLNG and none on the grounds by the contractor, and even tongue-lashed the contractor in most of his rulings.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Shedrack Ogboru, the chief executive of Macobarb, decried the ruling and its ripple effect for indigenous contractors seeking justice against international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigerian courts.

Mr Ogboru said he felt he presented tight case to the court to show that the NLNG breached terms of payments and that the breaches caused slowdown of the execution of the contract, but regretted that the judge did not agree with any of his arguments.

According to him, many indigenous contractors have died as a result of injustices in the hands of the oil majors, noting that it was only in abroad do communities and local contractors get some form of justice, never in Nigeria.

“My case is presented 100 per cent, the NLNG’s case is zero; but surprisingly, the NLNG has rather been upheld, and Macobarb denied. I pity indigenous contractors in Nigerian courts. We are doomed,” he quipped.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Wednesday in Abuja, kicked off a two-day performance review session with companies currently holding gas distribution licences.

A statement by the regulator said the review was in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which mandates it to ensure and monitor performance parameters of the industry and the quality of service provided by licensed operators.

According to NMDPRA, the review focused on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and Health, Safety, Environment, and Compliance (HSE&C) standards of the licensed gas distribution activities.

It reiterated that it would continue to work towards enabling proper gas utilisation in the country to meet domestic demands and boost the nation’s economy.

In January, as a way of increasing gas utilisation and expansion in the country, the NMDPRA awarded 10 Gas Distribution Licences (GDLs) to six companies, including a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The six beneficiary companies include the NNPC Gas Marketing Company, Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, NIPCO Plc, Central Horizon Gas Company, Falcon Corporation Ltd, and AXXELA.

The licenses issued under the Petroleum Industry Act were to help unlock opportunities in power generation, clean cooking, CNG mobility, and energy parks.

The licenses issued covered a cumulative gas distribution capacity of approximately 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day with over 1,200km of gas distribution pipeline network as well as over 500 customer stations.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

About 1,000 small-scale farmers in Ogun State would be empowered with a mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence launched by MTN Foundation.

The organisation has partnered with the federal government, the Ogun State government, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Huawei to introduce a digital agriculture platform known as AgriConnect.

This initiative will give the beneficiaries access to mobile-enabled agricultural intelligence and digital tools designed to enhance food production.

The selected farmers are from a state-managed database of over 160,000 registered farmers, providing them with mobile-enabled services and digital technologies supplied by Huawei.

“This initiative is intended to enhance food production, ensure food security, and boost agribusiness opportunities across the state and Nigeria at large.

“These are not just gadgets; they are tools of transformation. With this programme, we are boosting productivity, promoting efficiency, and fortifying the cassava value chain. Ogun State is proud to lead in cassava production and equally proud to lead in agricultural innovation,” the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, stated at the launch of the scheme at June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.

He announced the construction of a new cotton processing plant with a capacity to process 100 tons per hour, expected to generate 250,000 direct jobs and position Nigeria as a key player in the global cotton and garment industry.

The governor called on all public and private stakeholders to support the AgriConnect Initiative, stressing that Ogun State is home to the most responsible and best-organised farmers in the country.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Ms Odunayo Sanya, said, “We strongly believe in the power of technology to drive growth, create opportunities, and empower individuals.

“The AgriConnect Initiative embodies this belief by leveraging both global and local partnerships to provide our farmers with essential tools and resources.

“Access to real-time weather forecasts, market prices, and best agricultural practices will not only support informed decision-making but also significantly improve yields and increase farmers’ incomes.

“Ultimately, this will contribute to economic growth at both the state and national levels.

“For those unfamiliar with the MTN Foundation, since its inception in 2004, we have remained at the forefront of Nigeria’s social empowerment.

“We have invested over N32 billion in projects and interventions that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals.”