African states have been tasked by the federal government with developing strategies for the sustainable exploration of Africa’s seabed.
At the fourth edition of the 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 together with the International Seabed Authority, or ISA, to organize the event.
African countries were given a special assignment by Osinbajo to prioritize plans for the blue economy’s sustainable growth.
Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the Minister of State for Transportation, spoke on behalf of Osinbajo and urged coordinated efforts to give the seabed top priority.
There is a need for Nigeria and, more broadly, Africa’s diligent stakeholders, pertinent organizations, private entities, and NGOs to coordinate their efforts in order to improve decision-making in the maritime domain, he said.
“I firmly believe that this workshop will spark stimulating discussions, produce actionable recommendations, and reawaken African states’ awareness of evolving strategies for the sustainable development of Africa’s seabed.
“I welcome you all to Nigeria and I beg you to take advantage of the many tourism opportunities and warm-hearted culture of our nation.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Michael W. Lodge, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority, ISA, described the project’s primary goals as improving the decision-making of African states, enhancing the technical expertise of experts, and promoting discussion to increase and improve the capacity of African citizens in deep seabed exploration.
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the African Minerals Development Center are partners with the International Seabed Authority in implementing the ADSR project. Activities are also carried out in collaboration with States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (AMDC).
