President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday emerged new chairman of the Gulf of Guinea Commission with a call on member states to urgently address the socio-economic and security challenges facing the commission.
Represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, he said shortly after the confirmation of his appointment at the 4th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), held in Abuja, that the members could overcome the challenges by collectively taking measures to check violations of domestic and international treaties in the gulf.
He identified the challenges facing the commission to include a rise in maritime insurance premiums for vessels coming into the Gulf of Guinea, increased threats and reduced commercial traffic to the region as well as unregulated and unreported fishing along the Gulf of Guinea.The President also charged the member states to take measures to reduce pollution and environmental degradation in the Gulf of Guinea.
The President said:,“In conformity with the theme of the 4th Ordinary Session which is: “A Vibrant Gulf of Guinea Region for sustainable Development”, let us renew our commitment to making the Gulf of Guinea more effective and a truly vibrant partner in all our efforts, be the regional, national or international, to ensure a zone of peace, security and sustainable development for our countries, our peoples and other stakeholders in the region.”
|Sun