Juliana Taiwo
8 October 2008
Abuja — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday charged the Board of the National Boundary Commission (NBC)to ensure the extension of Nigeria 's continental shelf beyond the present level of 200 nautical miles in order to boost the nation's revenue base.
Yar'Adua gave the charge while inaugurating the Boards of the NBC as well as the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) at the presidential Villa.
The President said the NBC which is charged with the responsibility of resolving boundary disputes between Nigeria and her neighbours as well as inter state and inter local government disputes should come up with initiatives that would promptly resolve possible disputes.
"In line with our development objectives, the Commission is expected to come up with dynamic proactive initiatives for the prompt and dynamic determination of all boundary-related matters with a view to effectively boosting peaceful co-existence, engendering inclusiveness, and enhancing the welfare of our people.
"Specifically, I expect that the NBC Board will vigorously pursue the on-going matter of the extension of Nigeria's continental shelf beyond the present 200 nautical miles. The successful conclusion of this exercise will no doubt increase the frontiers of our national sovereignty and boost our national resource base," he said.
President Yar'Adua pointed out that Nigeria was "irrevocably committed to peaceful coexistence with her neighbours", stressing her readiness as exemplified when the country "accepted to execute the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon." He said that was "a clear evidence of our abiding faith in the exigency of peace and stability for sustained growth and development on our continent."
For the board of NEMA, the President said the agency's role in ensuring the protection of lives and properties through 'speedy, timely, efficient and effective response when natural or man-made disaster strikes' is critical to the realization of his government' seven point agenda in ensuring the welfare and well being of Nigerians.
In his response, Vice president Dr Goodluck Jonathan who chairs both Boards assured that they will not disappoint the President as well as Nigerians in the discharge of their duties.
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