Maritime Boundary: Nigeria scales first hurdle
A delegation, led by the Attorney General of the Federation Michael Aondoakaa had made a presentation on Nigeria’s request to a sitting of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. A source at the meeting, which was held behind closed doors told the UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) […]
A delegation, led by the Attorney General of the Federation Michael Aondoakaa had made a presentation on Nigeria’s request to a sitting of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
A source at the meeting, which was held behind closed doors told the UN correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that members of the committee gave a “no objection’’ response to the country’s submission.
According to the source, the commission’s chairman, Alexandre Medeiros de Albuquerque of Brazil, had during the session asked the members for questions on Nigeria’s presentation, but none of them did.
By this Nigeria’s request has now qualified for consideration and passage after the commission concludes its 24th session and deliberations.
Aondoakaa told NAN that the extension was to ensure proper policing of the nation’s maritime boundary, as well as to boost economic activity.
He expressed the confidence that the country’s bid would sail through, saying “our neighbours are in total support of Nigeria’s moves to expand its maritime boundary’’.
He said Nigeria’s neighbours had not raised any objection to the request, adding that Ghana had recently given a “no objective’’ nod.
Aondoakaa said the Nigerian government decided to seek the extension based on Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which, he said, the government had “fully’’ satisfied its provisions.
The minister also said that the extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf would enable it to explore and exploit its seabed resources to enhance the country’s economy, and “at same time facilitate peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea region’’.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Alhaji Sadiq Diggi, said that Nigeria signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on July 1, 1983 and became a State Party when it deposited its instrument of fortification on Aug. 14, 1986.
He also said that the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea entered into force in Nigeria on November 16, 1994.
Diggi said work on the claim for the extension of the territorial waters started in 2000 and the Federal Government had provided all the required data and necessary information to support the request.