President Bola Tinubu has acquired the report of the Excessive Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s Prolonged Continental Shelf Venture with a commendation to the staff of specialists who labored onerous over time to advance the undertaking, which goals to increase Nigeria’s maritime boundaries in accordance with the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
In line with an announcement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President expressed his appreciation on Tuesday in Abuja after listening to technical shows by Professor Larry Awosika, a marine scientist and member of the Committee, and Surveyor Aliyu Omar, Secretary of the HPPC.
The specialists had been concerned within the undertaking since Nigeria’s preliminary submission to increase its continental shelf to the United Nations Fee on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2009.
They knowledgeable the President that the UN has accredited Nigeria’s submission, granting sovereignty over extra sq. kilometres of maritime territory.
”When the HPPC briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 on the standing of the undertaking, the United Nations Fee on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) was nonetheless contemplating Nigeria’s submission and having technical interactions with the HPPC.
”These interactions and consideration have now culminated within the approval for Nigeria to increase its continental shelf past 200M (200 nautical miles).
”Because it stands now, the world accredited for Nigeria is about 16,300 sq. kilometres, which is about 5 occasions the scale of Lagos State,’’ Surveyor Omar instructed the President.
He added that the official notification of the choice was conveyed to Nigeria by the UN Nations Fee on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in August 2023, shortly after President Tinubu assumed workplace.
Omar outlined the out there choices for Nigeria following the approval.
”The primary possibility is to take the world gained and finalize the registration with the UN Secretary-Common and shut all the things, which means that we’re glad with what we obtained. This may take no less than one 12 months.
”The second possibility is to take what now we have proper now, purchase extra information, do a assist write-up, and make a revised submission as beneficial by CLCS for additional consideration. This may take one other 4 years.
”Both approach (choices), Nigeria will maintain what has been accredited,’’ the assertion quoted him as saying.
In his presentation, Professor Awosika defined that the approval got here after years of meticulous scientific analysis on geophysics, geology, geography, and diplomatic efforts, which solidified Nigeria’s authorized rights over an unlimited expanse of seabed and subsoil past its conventional territorial waters.
Awosika highlighted the financial potential of the newly acquired territory, which incorporates hydrocarbons, gasoline, stable minerals, and all kinds of sedentary species.
He, nonetheless, cautioned towards complete disclosure of delicate information acquired throughout surveys, noting that this can jeopardize confidentiality as Nigeria is anticipated to monetize the data to get well undertaking bills.
Responding, the President Tinubu thanked the specialists for his or her diligence, emphasizing the importance of the achievement for Nigeria’s financial and strategic pursuits.
‘‘That is large congratulations for Nigeria,’’ he stated whereas recounting how former President Buhari had briefed him on the significance of the undertaking.
”At COP28 in Dubai, I additionally exchanged views with President Lula of Brazil on the necessity for collaboration inside our financial and maritime boundaries.
”At present, it’s a nice honour for me to obtain this report. I’ve listened attentively to this very specialised report, and I do know it took a complete lot of effort to get to this stage.
”I commend the staff, and we should reap the benefits of this and invite you once more to have a repeat of this information exploration on geography, hydrography, and the marine life.
”Nigeria is grateful for the efforts that you just put into gaining extra territory for the nation with out going to warfare. Some nations went to warfare, misplaced folks and financial alternatives.
”We misplaced nothing however have gained nice advantages for Nigeria. We are going to pursue the best choice for the nation,” the President stated.
Chairman of the HPPC, Ambassador Hassan Tukur; Chief of Workers to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Financial system, Adegboyega Oyetola, additionally witnessed the presentation of the report on the Presidential Villa.