The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said that Nigeria will work with the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) to enjoy the benefit of the deep sea mining.
Peterside, who spoke at the opening of the 23rd Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) in Kingston, Jamaica, said that there is need for Nigeria to work more closely with the ISBA in the area of seabed resources exploration.
He commended ISBA for encouraging optimal utilization of seabed resources among maritime stakeholders even as he solicited for assistance in the area of capacity building to survey deep sea and establish data base of mineral resources for the benefit of mankind.
He said that Nigeria is currently developing policies that will aid the harnessing of seabed resources, adding: “the federal ministry of Transportation is developing a country’s economy policy and strategy which will incorporate the sustainable development of the country’s deep seabed resources.”
Peterside said that at the moment, the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office has been undertaking hydrographic survey and charting of the maritime area.
He added that Nigerian Navy is also effectively enforcing the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea and other relevant international maritime instruments to which Nigeria is a party. [myad]
