Ahead of the 2016 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has called on political parties, disputants in electoral matters and other court users to leverage on Arbitration and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for the resolution of disputes.
The governor made this statement during a courtesy call on him by the executive members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Port Harcourt.
In the statement presented by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor stated that ADR would reduce bickering, as well as time and resources expended on cases at the election tribunals, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“As politicians, we have had ongoing discussions on how to introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settlement of election matters without going to the tribunals. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators can facilitate this process with the introduction of ADR to election disputes.
He said, “It will reduce the squabbling and wrangling; it will reduce cost and time spent at the tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. In other words, there will be more time for governance,” the governor said.
According to Wike, it is a major issue that we should put our heads together to see how it will be possible to introduce election matters as issues to be resolved through ADR.
Acknowledging the state as business hub, Governor informed the delegation that Rivers State was safe for investments and tourism.
“The state in the last four months has played host to Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Bar Association, Rotary International and the West African Architects Fair. Check the crime index in the country, that of Rivers state is quite low. It is lower than other major states,” he said.
Wike commended the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian for bringing its conference to Rivers State.
Earlier, the Chair, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2016 Conference, Mia Essien, SAN said that the institute chose the state because it was safe and had modern amenities to host international events.
She also said that Rivers State would be promoted as a major destination for Alternative Dispute Resolution in the country on the same standing with Lagos and Abuja.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators conference will hold between November 10th and 11th in the Garden City of Port Harcourt.
