The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has admonished African states to prioritise strategies for the sustainable development of Africa’s blue economy.
Osinbajo stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, at the 4th edition of Africa’s Deep Seabed Resources (ADSR) Sub-Regional Workshop on the imperative of supporting Africa’s Blue Economy.
The workshop was organised by the International Seabed Authority in collaboration with the National Boundary Commission, Transport Ministry, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Navy and other MDAs.
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 State Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in partnership with the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC).
The vice president who was represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye called for concerted efforts to make 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 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,” he said.
The Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Mr. Michael W. Lodge said the main objective of the project is to facilitate 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.
