Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Mbasogo and President Bola Tinubu signed the agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project to further reaffirm the partnership between the two countries towards common development.
Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngerale, said in a statement on Thursday that the agreement was signed in Malabo on Wednesday night.
The agreement included legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline; its construction and operation, the transportation of natural gas, ownership, and general principles of the gas pipeline.
Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, said in his remarks at the event that the signing of the agreement would open new opportunities for gas exploration and jobs. The president added that the two leaders discussed issues related to job creation, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent.
“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.”
He said African countries need to address capital shortages, research and development programs for industrialization, and find ways to solve their problems.
The president said, “Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo and others, we have to look inward to solve problems ourselves,”
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He also said that his talks with the Equatorial Guinea President included issues in the areas of security, the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), 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,” Tinubu concluded.
In his remarks, Mbasogo said bilateral relations with Nigeria have been fruitful for many years and stressed the need to deepen cooperation in key areas.
He said the vision of Africa becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council is crucial for the development of the continent. He reiterated that Equatorial Guinea will work with Nigeria to achieve this goal. Mbasogo added that the signing of the agreement is of strategic importance for the development of Africa.
Yusuf Tuggah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Simeon Esono, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, also signed the agreement. Also witnessing the signing of the agreement were Chief Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Justice and AGF, Minister of Defence Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, and Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo. Other participants included the Minister of State for Petroleum and Gas, Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Bio, Minister of Youth Development.
