Nigeria’s Envoy to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and International Seabed Authority Highlights Opportunities for NDDC

Publisher
By Publisher
5 Min Read

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the Africa Deep Seabed Resources project (ADSR), Ambassador Dr. Maureen Tamuno, today visited the NDDC headquarters to unfold opportunities for the Commission.

She was accompanied by the Director of Maritime Boundaries, National Boundary Commission, and Secretary ADSR Committee, Mr. Nurudeen Abba, and Commander Abdulsallam Mohammed, who represents the Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, a Member of the ADSR Committee.

The Ambassador told the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Executive Director, Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, and some Directors of NDDC who received her that the purpose of her visit was to unfold opportunities that the ISA presents to the Commission and the region.

She said: “I am here because we are a coastal region and a daughter of the soil. This visit is aimed at sensitizing the management of the NDDC on what the International Seabed Authority is about, its projects, and its mandate of ensuring the protection of the marine environment from harmful practices, and the region is part of it.”

Elated about her visit, Dr. Ogbuku said, “We want to thank you for bringing opportunities back to Nigeria. We are looking for collaborations and partnerships that can bring development to the region. We’ll explore it and see how it will benefit the people of the Niger Delta because our interest is to see how we can fast-track the region’s development.”

The ISA is an intergovernmental organization established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, dedicated to the sustainable management of the activities of exploration and exploitation of the mineral resources of the seabed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, known as the ‘Area.’ It is responsible for regulating activities such as prospecting, exploration, and exploitation of marine mineral resources in the Area. In addition, it helps promote cooperation among States in the peaceful uses of the deep seabed and ocean floor.

Its headquarters is in Jamaica, where the Authority’s Legal and Technical Commission meets regularly. The Authority’s body comprises all the States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Deliberative Council or the Council of the Authority represents the members.

The primary objective of the ISA is to organize and control activities in the Area and ensure that any exploration or exploitation of the area’s mineral resources is for peaceful purposes and conducted in a manner consistent with environmental protection. The Authority has developed regulations and procedures for licensed activities, including environmental guidelines and detailed requirements on contracts and the transfer of technology. In addition, it is directly responsible for promoting investments in and developing and utilizing marine-related technologies in the Area.

The ISA also conducts research and surveys on the resources and environment of the deep seabed and their potential use. Furthermore, it advises the UN General Assembly on developing a framework for protecting and sustainable use of the area’s marine environment. This includes the protection of the marine ecological environment, the conservation and management of resources, and the provision of scientific data and information.

The ISA has established a Minerals Development Fund to ensure the area’s sustainable development of Mineral resources. This fund is intended to meet the expenses for research, surveys, and the implementation of related activities related to exploiting the resources in the Area. Furthermore, the ISA attempts to foster international cooperation among States Parties to the Convention and non-State actors to ensure safe and equitable access and participation in the Area.

Credit: NDDC Facebook Page.

Share This Article
Follow:
At Crossfire Reports, we will tell your story and we take both sides of the story and subject matter. Also place your adverts on www.crossfirereports.com and send your stories opinions to mike@crossfirereports.com