By Deborah Onyofufeke
The international Seabed Authority yesterday, met with the Nigerian government and its various agencies to brainstorm on ways in which African countries can benefit from seabed minerals.
Speaking at the 4th edition of the Africa’s Deep Seabed Resources (ADSR) sub-regional workshop in Abuja, with the theme: The Imperative of Supporting Africa’s Blue Economy, was Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who urged African nations to embrace the exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals for the sustainable development of the continent’s blue economy.
The 3-day workshop was organised by the International Seabed Authority, in collaboration with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), African Union, (AU), Ministry of Transportation, National Boundary Commission, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), ministry of Environment and Nigerian Navy.
Professor Osibanjo, who was represented by the Minister of state for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, advised African states to prioritise strategies needed for the sustainable development and work towards strategies that would help in the achievement.
He said while countries like Germany, India, China, United Kingdom and Jamaica had signed various contracts for the explorations of seabed minerals, no African country had made any move in this direction. As such, he, urged Nigeria, to take the lead in Africa.
He also noted that Nigeria is abundantly blessed with deep seabed minerals and are readily available for exploration.
He said, “The UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides for all nations to explore and exploit mineral resources on the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the common benefit of mankind.
”This is in accordance with regulatory framework provided by ISA.
“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 Maritime domain.
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“It is my firm belief that this workshop will engender thought provoking discussions and provide Implementable decisions as well reawaken the consciousness of African states towards evolving strategies for the sustainable development of Africa Seabed”. He said
The Secretary General of International Seabed Authority (ISA), Mr. Michael W. Lodge noted that the main objective of the project is to inform better decision making of African states, strengthen technical capacity of experts and stimulate discussion to increase and improve capacity of African nationals in deep Seabed.
Lodge, further noted that new job opportunities, would be created in the future through the exploration and exploitation of the seabed minerals as moving forward, it would require new technologies, where mining vessels would be stationed offshore.
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).
