NIGERIA on Thursday in New York submitted a claim to the United Nations (UN) for the extension of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
The documents for the claim were presented to UN officials of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea at the UN Headquarters.
Presenting the documents, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Joy Ogwu, who led a high-powered Nigerian delegation, 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).
“In accordance with the specific and technical guidelines of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), Nigeria hereby submits to the UN Secretary-General, her full submission for the extension of her continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles,” Ogwu stated.
She expressed the hope that the commission will examine Nigeria’ submission “expeditiously.”
She said the extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf would enable the country to explore and exploit its seabed resources to boost her economy.
Receiving the documents, the Secretary of the UN Commission on the Limit of the Continental Shelf, Harimaran Rajan, commended Nigeria for its move to extend its maritime boundary for national growth and development.
“In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, a communication will be circulated to all UN member states, as well as, States Parties to the Convention.
“This is in order to make public the executive summary of the submission, including all charts and co-ordinates contained in that summary,” he said.
He also said that the Nigerian submission would be included in the provisional agenda of the twenty-fourth session of the Commission to be held in New York from Aug. 10 to Sept. 11.
The UN official also disclosed that considering the submission, the Commission would make recommendations in conformity with Article 76 of the Convention.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Alhaji Sadiq Diggi told the UN officials that Convention of the Law of the Sea entered into force for Nigeria on Nov. 16, 1994.
Diggi said that work on the claim for the extension of the territorial waters started in 2000.
The director-general, who spoke with NAN after the presentation, also said that the proposed extension would bring Nigeria’s continental shelf to 350 nautical miles.
Sources at the UN told NAN 39 countries have so far submitted claims to the UN Commission on the Limit of the Continental Shelf for extension of their maritime boundary beyond 200 nautical miles.
Ghana, South Africa and Kenya are among the African countries that have also submitted their claims.