WorldStage Newsnine– The Federal Government of Nigeria has welcomed the decision by the United Nations to extend the country’s continental shelf from 200 Nautical Miles to 220 Nautical Miles.
A statement by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) said the decision coincided with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which will give a boost to the Nigerian maritime sector.
The Chairman, United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), Adnan Rashid Nasser Al-Azri was said to have disclosed the development in a statement regarding Nigeria’s submission.
“This approval allows Nigeria to redraw the territorial map of its sovereignty in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby granting the right to exploit the abundant carbon and marine resources believed to be present in the area,” the statement said.
On his part, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh was said to have applauded the UN decision saying it has the potential to bring economic benefits to the country.
According to him, “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.”
According to the UN, 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. Also, a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.
