President Bola Tinubu and President Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea have signed an agreement on Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project to further affirm the partnership between the two countries for mutual development. 

The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement was signed on Wednesday evening in Malabo.

The agreement covered legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline and general principles. 

In his remarks at the event, Mr Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, said the signing of the agreement would open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment.

The President added that the two leaders discussed issues related to the creation of employment, food security, multilateral relations and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent.

He said, “Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflicts and what we can do to promote peace. We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries and growth and prosperity on our continent.”

According to him, African countries have to address inadequate capital, industrialisation research and development programmes, and navigate their way through problems.

“Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo and others, we have to look inwards to solve problems ourselves,” the President said. 

He said the discussion with the President of Equatorial Guinea also covered challenges of security, African Continental Free Trade Area and food security. 

“We are all going for it. Within Africa and the African Union, we have resolved that we will work together to make sure that the solution to many of our problems in Africa comes from within,” Mr Tinubu noted.

In his remarks, Mr Mbasogo said bilateral relations with Nigeria over many years had been rewarding and emphasised the need to deepen cooperation across salient areas. 

He said Africa’s vision of having a permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations was vital for the development of the continent.

He affirmed that Equatorial Guinea would work with Nigeria to realise the objective. 

Mr Mbasogo added that the signing of the agreement was strategic for Africa’s development.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, Simeon Esono, also signed the agreement.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation,  Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Abubakar and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Others were the Minister of State for Petroleum, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo and the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Bio.

(NAN)