The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola has made public the readiness of Nigeria to host a global workshop on deep seabed activities in the country.
The international workshop is to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The initiative is part of efforts to harness the blue economy sector for sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
A statement issued by NIMASA and signed by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie quoted Oyetola saying that Nigeria’s hosting of the international workshop will help build what he called “in-country expertise” by equipping policy makers and industry professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage deep-sea resources sustainably.
His words: “This workshop will offer hands-on training for Nigerian researchers and stakeholders, allowing them to engage directly with international experts and advanced technologies. Nigeria has vast ocean resources that are still largely unexplored and we have taken into consideration the recent extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf. I hope this workshop will provide a platform to launch the machinery to tap into these resources sustainably, balancing economic growth with environmental protection”.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the seminar would provide an opportunity for professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector to collaborate with the Federal Government in harnessing the resources of the seas and oceans, while also creating jobs and wealth for the country.
The event, scheduled to take place in Abuja from September 17-18, 2024, will feature several presentations.
These include “An Overview of the Deep Seabed: Prospects for the Blue Economy” by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and “An Overview of the Extended Nigerian Continental Shelf Claim” by the Director General, National Boundary Commission (NBC), Mr. Adamu Adaji, among other scholarly presentations.
Maritime Bits had reported that the deep seabed lies beyond national jurisdiction, and the mineral resources located there are considered the common heritage of humanity. It covers more than 54 percent of the world’s oceans and presents a future source of mineral resources to support an increasing global population. Additionally, it addresses challenges related to accessing land-based deposits and provides the rare metals necessary to drive the future renewable economy.
It is on record that the deep seabed plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change which has a devastating impact on the sustainability of oceans and their resources.
In the same vein, it is believed that the seabed contains a significant portion of the CO2 produced by human activities, thereby helping to absorb the excess heat generated by the greenhouse effect.
