The Federal Government has welcomed the decision by the United Nations (UN) to extend Nigeria’s continental shelf from 200 to 220 nautical miles.
The Continental Shelf of a coastal state comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin.
This extension coincides with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Tinubu, to give a boost to the Nigerian maritime sector.
The Chairman, UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), Adnan Al-Azri, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The approval allows Nigeria to redraw the territorial map of its sovereignty in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby granting it the right to exploit the abundant hydrocarbon and marine resources believed to be located therein.
Also commenting, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, was said to have applauded the UN’s decision to approve a request for the extension of Nigeria’s territorial waters beyond the standard 200 nautical miles from the country’s coast with the attendant economic benefits.
Jamoh said: “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time the United Nations has ever approved additional maritime territory for Nigeria.
“We welcome this development, as it would boost our economic fortunes considerably. It is a plus for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Administration and I extend my congratulations to our Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.”
The approval allows Nigeria to redraw the territorial map of its sovereignty in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby granting it the right to exploit the abundant hydrocarbon and marine resources believed to be located therein.
