African states have been charged by the federal government with developing policies for the sustainable exploration of Africa's seabed.
At the fourth edition of Africa's Deep Seabed Resources, ADSR, Sub-Regional Workshop on the necessity of supporting Africa's Blue Economy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this statement yesterday in Abuja.
The National Boundary Commission, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and other MDAs worked along with the International Seabed Authority, or ISA, to organise the event.
African countries were given a special assignment by Osinbajo to prioritise plans for the blue economy's sustainable growth.
Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, called for concerted efforts to make the seabed a priority.
He said: “There is a need for Nigeria and indeed Africa’s industrious stakeholders, relevant organisations and private entities and NGOs to synergise efforts towards enhancing decision making in the Maritime domain.
“It is my firm belief that this workshop will engender thought-provoking discussions and provide Implementable decisions as well as reawaken the consciousness of African states towards evolving strategies for the sustainable development of Africa Seabed.
“I welcome you all to Nigeria and I implore you to use the numerous tourism potentials and hospitable culture of our country.”
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority, ISA, Mr Michael W. Lodge, explained that the main objective of the project was to inform the better decision-making of African states, strengthen the technical capacity of experts and stimulate discussion to increase and improve the capacity of African nationals in deep Seabed
The International Seabed Authority implements the ADSR project in partnership with the African Union, as well as the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and activities are undertaken in cooperation with States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in partnership with the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC).