By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, have signed an agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project, further affirming the partnership for mutual development.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday evening in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, covered legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, and general principles.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, said the signing of the agreement will open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment.
The President stated that the two leaders had discussed issues related to the creation of employment, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent during a private meeting that preceded the signing of the agreement.
According to him: “Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflict and what we can do to promote peace.
“We talked about the promotion of peace and stability in our countries and growth and prosperity on our continent.
“In the same way that Europe and America have kept themselves and found a solution for their conflicts, we have to look at both inadequate capital, industrialization efforts, research and development programmes, and enlighten our people, navigate our 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”.
President Tinubu said the discussion with his Equatorial Guinea counterpart also covered challenges of security, the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and food security.
His words: “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”.
In his remarks, the President of Equatorial Guinea said bilateral relations with Nigeria over many years have been rewarding and emphasized the need to deepen cooperation across salient areas.
President Mbasogo said Africa’s vision of having a permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations is vital for the development of the continent, affirming that Equatorial Guinea will work with Nigeria to realize the objective.
According to him, the signing of the agreement was strategic for Africa’s development.
Modupe Gbadeyanka