African countries have been urged to embrace mineral exploration opportunities on their continental shelf and the International Seabed Area in order to strengthen their blue economy.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, made the call while declaring open in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, the Fourth Africa Deep Seabed Resources Project organised by the International Seabed Authority in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, the African Union and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Speaking on mineral exploitation agreements entered into by other countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas with the International Seabed Authority, Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of State for Transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said there was a need for Nigeria and other African Industrial stakeholders to actively engage efforts that would strengthen Nigeria and Africa’s maritime domain.
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“Countries such as Germany, India, Korea, China, Japan, the United Kingdom Jamaica have signed various contracts for the exploration of these minerals with the International Seabed Authority.”
“There is a need for Nigeria and African Industrial Stakeholders with relevant organisations and private entities and Non-governmental organisations to synergise efforts towards strengthening the engagements of African states in the activities undertaken in the International Seabed Area to improve data acquisition, advanced technical capacities and ultimate decision-making in Nigeria and Africa’s maritime domain.”
He noted that “this workshop will enlighten African countries on minerals’ exploitation opportunities that abound not only on their continental shelves but even beyond these boundaries.”
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Seabed Authority, Dr Maureen Tamuno, appealed to “stakeholders to remain committed in protecting the common heritage of mankind and ensuring equitable sharing of the benefits to impact the lives of the common man.”
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji said the workshop was crucial to the development of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.
The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS. Through the International Seabed Authority, state parties to the UNCLOS organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the International Seabed Area for the benefit of mankind.
Hauwa Abu
