16 MARCH 2001
ABUJA, NIGERIA 12-14 MARCH, 2001
The 3rd Session of the Bi-national Commission between the Federal Government of the Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the Republic of South Africa was held in Abuja, Nigeria from 12-14 March, 2001.
The Nigerian delegation was led by His Excellency Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while the South African delegation was led by His Excellency Deputy President, Jacob Zuma. The lists of members of the delegations are attached as Annexes I and II.
During the Session, the leader of the South African delegation was received in audience by His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governor of Adamawa State.
The President noted that the annual meeting of the Bi-national Commission would strengthen and enhance relations between Nigeria and South Africa. He declared that he was delighted to know that since the establishment of the Bi-national Commission, there has been movement of goods and services for the benefit of our peoples.
He further confirmed that the progress of the Bi-national Commission would be the vanguard of similar commissions leading to greater cooperation and integration between countries and sub-regions in the continent.
Both delegations reviewed the status of economic, commercial, scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries, and the role of the private sector. Other areas of collaboration include defence, immigration, justice, crime, international politics and conflict resolution.
The Session established six (6) Working Groups to facilitate its work. These are:
- Sub-Group on Defence
- Sub-Group on Immigration, Justice & Anti-Crime
The two sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between their respective Foreign Ministries. The signing of this MOU will effectively formalize and concretise regular consultations between Senior Officials of the two countries.
Both delegations had extensive consultations on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues.
The two sides reviewed in general, the conflicts on the continent and their effects. They discussed, in particular, the situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Western Sahara, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Nigeria and South Africa therefore committed themselves to work towards promoting an effective mechanism for conflict prevention, management and resolution within the OAU/AU; notably by providing expertise to reinforce the early warning system. It was also recommended that Nigeria and South Africa act as joint moral authority on African conflict resolution.
The two sides negotiated, concluded and signed the Agreement on Defence Cooperation.
The Nigerian side acknowledged receipt of a draft “Terms of Reference” for the establishment of the Defence Committee that would guide deliberations on defence matters during the session of the Bi-national Commission and promised to respond through the diplomatic channels.
Both sides underscored the need to co-operate on issues of immigration, justice and anti-crime activities.
The two sides agreed on a Declaration of Intent to develop a Protocol that will encompass consular matters, deportation and repatriation and sharing of information to be concluded at the 4th Session of the Bi-national Commission.
On judicial matters, both sides considered the proposed draft Extradition Treaty and agreed to conclude it before the 4th Session of the Bi-national Commission.
The two sides also noted that South Africa submitted a text on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and a proposal on the designation of Commonwealth countries that seeks to grant permission to legal practitioners of both countries to practise in each other’s country for the consideration of Nigeria.
The two sides emphasised the need to co-operate on anti-crime activities and agreed to sign a Police Cooperation Agreement. They also directed that the customs and excise authorities of both countries should meet, while their respective Intelligence Agencies should work out modalities for collaboration.
The two delegations noted with satisfaction the potential existing in both countries for the growth of mineral and energy industries and agreed to cooperate in the following areas:
A. Geology, Mining and Mineral Processing:
On Geology, both sides are currently considering draft Agreements for the South African Council for Geoscience to draft a metallogenic map and take inventory of all existing analogue airborne geophysical data in Nigeria. The two Agreements are to be concluded in June and April 2001 respectively. The South African Council for Geoscience also pledged to provide training and institutional support to the Geological Survey of Nigeria once the latter becomes an Agency.
On Mining and Mineral Processing, the Nigerian side is to submit a proposal to South Africa by March 2002 for the latter to assist Nigeria in the establishment of a National Institute of Mining and Geology.
Both sides agreed to establish a Joint Committee by April 2001 consisting of the private and public sectors to develop a promotional strategy and prepare a comprehensive profile on investment opportunities in the Nigerian Mineral Sector.
The South African Mintek/Coord is negotiating an Agreement with the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) for the establishment of a 5 ton per hour coal briquette in order to operationalise the Nigerian coal mining industry.
A proposal was submitted by Mintek of South Africa to form a partnership with (COORD) of Nigeria to design and manufacture cost-effective mining equipment for small-scale operators.
Negotiations are also expected to be concluded to explore the possibility of establishing a Satellite Tantalite Refinery in Nigeria. The Nigerian side further advised Mintek to obtain a license to purchase tantalite from existing operators in Nigeria.
B. Petroleum and Gas:
The Nigerian side expressed the desire to go into joint partnership with South Africa in the development of gas-based projects. In this regard, both sides noted that an Agreement on the Gas-to-liquid project involving Sasol of South Africa and Chevron Nigeria Ltd. estimated to cost abut US$1.2 billion dollars would concluded by the end of March, 2001.
Similarly on capacity building, both sides are to carry out a needs analysis for skills development in the fields of oil, gas, electricity, mining and geology. The Nigerian side would submit their needs in the fields of electricity, mining and geology to the South African side by June 2001. The South African side would in turn submit their needs in the field of oil and gas to the Nigerian side.
The two sides noted with satisfaction Nigeria’s increase in the volume of crude oil allocation to South Africa from 22,000 to 120,000 barrels per day with effect from February 2001. The South African side was advised to apply to NNPC if more allocation would be needed. Furthermore, both sides noted the on-going exploration and production activities in the Nigerian oil industry, the two sides agreed to explore further areas of joint venture partnership especially in relation to the development of condensate gas fields and Production Sharing Contract.
On crude oil storage, the Nigerian side noted the availability of crude oil facilities in Saldanha Bay, South Africa and repeated its request for detailed information on the facilities. The South African side promised to redeem its pledge to submit detailed information, specification, and conditions of usage of the storage facilities to Nigeria by 31 April, 2001.
C. Electricity Industry Regulation & Electrification:
The South African side offered to facilitate capacity building for the establishment of a Nigerian electricity regulatory regime. The Nigerian side noted the proposal and undertook to respond to the offer as soon as possible. On electrification, the two sides agreed to continue consultation and reciprocal visits.
Both sides reviewed the progress made on the ratification and implementation of bilateral economic agreements including the Trade Agreement, Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. They also considered issues of Free Trade Areas, exchange of trade missions, the role of private sector, Chambers of Commerce and collaboration of their efforts in international organisations including the WTO.
On trade, both sides expressed the desire to create an enabling environment for trade flow through, inter alia, the conclusion of Agreements on Standards, Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures and Harmonization of Customs Documentation.
Similarly, on the strategy for trade and industrial development both sides agreed to study the proposal on the Free Trade Area of both countries after which a meeting at Expert level would take place to come up with a framework. Both sides discussed cooperation in sectorial projects of their economy including the fertilizer industry, automobile, pulp and paper, cement and leather, sugar and agro- processing and underscored the need for investment in these areas in each other’s countries.
On private sector collaboration, both sides expressed delight in the inauguration of the Nigerian/South African Chamber of Commerce. They also agreed to organise trade missions on a sectoral basis in each other’s country.
The Nigerian side noted the promise of the South African side to provide technical assistance to Nigeria in respect of the Ajaokuta Steel Project in Nigeria.
Both sides agreed to continue to cooperate and collaborate on positions and issues of interest to developing countries in the multi-lateral system and to build a network of contacts to appraise each other of positions being taken by their respective countries. In particular, both sides promised to hold discussions within their respective regional groups of SADC and ECOWAS.
With respect to anti-dumping, both sides agreed to share information, while the South African side expressed readiness to assist Nigeria in providing technical assistance in setting up an Anti-Dumping Unit.
On financial matters, both sides agreed to facilitate collaboration between their Apex Banks through the exchange of ideas and information. Similarly, in the area of Capital Markets, the Nigerian side suggested that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed by Nigeria’s Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and South Africa’s Financial Services Board (FSB) could be under the auspices of the Bi-national Commission.
Both sides noted that the Agreement on Technological Cooperation was already signed.
The draft programme on cooperation in science and technology already negotiated could be signed after reciprocal in-depth fact-finding visits between Nigerian and South African scientific and technical experts before the end of June 2001.
Both sides agreed to develop information systems comprising technical experts in each country to assist in tracking Nigerian and South African experts world-wide.
The Protocol on the Implementation of the Educational Cooperation Agreement covering the period 2001-2004 was negotiated and concluded to be signed by the Ministers of Education of the two countries when they next meet. Meanwhile, both Parties agreed to familiarise themselves with the education system in each other’s country.
The two sides agreed that direct institutional linkages in tertiary institutions should be encouraged. In this respect, Nigeria submitted a list of institutions detailing specific areas of interest for onward transmission to similar institutions in South Africa.
Both sides agreed that the Science and Technology as well as the Education Ministries of the two countries should coordinate on the issue of higher technical education.
They also suggested that resources from multilateral bodies such as UNESCO and OAU could be utilised to promote African Education. CULTURE AND TOURISM
Both sides negotiated and signed the modified Agreement on Arts and Culture.
Both parties agreed that the Protocol of Implementation on the Arts and Culture Agreement should focus on capacity building, cultural tourism, cultural industry and the economic impact of culture.
A composite list of writers of each country should be compiled to accord them recognition publicly.
The South African Deputy Minister extended an invitation to her Nigerian counterpart to visit South Africa in November 2001. The Nigerian Minister of Culture and Tourism accepted the invitation in principle. A Nigerian technical team in Arts and Culture will also be invited to an exploratory visit to South Africa.
Due to the absence of South African representatives on tourism, both sides recommended that possible collaboration in this area be explored during the intended visit by the Nigerian Minister of Culture and Tourism to South Africa.
Both sides agreed that possible areas of cooperation in the field of health should cover disease control and prevention including HIV/AIDS and malaria, institutional capacity building in fields like international health, traditional medicine development, bulk purchase and manufacture drugs as well as political sensitisation, consultation and cooperation at international health fora.
The two sides agreed to meet again during the UN Special Summit on Aids scheduled to be held in Abuja in April 2001 to flesh out the areas of cooperation, during which a Memorandum of Understanding on Health could possibly be signed by the two Ministers.
Nigeria submitted a list of areas of possible collaboration with South Africa in the following fields: exchange of Radio and Television Programmes and materials, mass media staff exchanges, training programmes for mass media personnel, reciprocal visits by Information Ministers and top media executives of both countries such as the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, South African Broadcasting Corporation and South African National Radio.
The South African side agreed to forward the proposal to the appropriate South African authorities.
The Nigerian side proposed the following areas of cooperation to South African side: exchange of coaches in sporting activities such as badminton, swimming, hockey and athletics. Other proposals include: collaboration in human resource development in the field of sports, and the administration of facilities and stadium management.
On Social Development, the Nigerian side also proposed exchanges of social workers, collaboration programmes on the care of the disabled and the aged, social work, education and training. The South African side undertook to forward the Nigerian proposals to the relevant South African authorities.
The two sides negotiated and signed an Agreement on Institutional Co-operation in Agriculture in the following areas: market access, agro- processing, agricultural research and training, agricultural production, rural development and food security. They also agreed on the need for reciprocal visits of experts and officials of both countries to elaborate on the objectives and activities of each focus area of the operational plan.
Regarding Water Resources, the Nigerian side requested technical assistance and/or joint venture participation in the areas listed here under:
The South African side noted the proposals for necessary action. On Environment, the Nigerian side proposed technical cooperation in the following areas:
The South African delegation noted the proposal for necessary action to be taken.
The two sides noted examples of growing private sector and parastatal collaboration between the two countries in the field of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The two sides gave progress reports on the restructuring/privatisation initiatives in their two countries. To this effect, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) incorporating various areas of co-operation was signed.
The South African side expressed appreciation for the award of a contract to ESKOM Enterprises for the construction of a 380 km 330 KVA new transmission line from Gombe to Jalingo with substations at Yola and Jalingo. However, both sides noted with concern the slow implementation of the MOU and the Collaboration Agreement between NEPA of Nigeria and ESKOM of South Africa.
South African Airways (SAA) and Nigerian Airways Limited (NAL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to operate under a joint venture agreement from New York to Lagos, using the South African Airways Aircraft.
Both sides noted the ongoing technical co-operation between the two countries on the SAT-3/West Africa Optical Submarine Cable Programme.
An agreement between Denel and Dicon to explore co-operation in the area of small calibre arms manufacturing, refurbishing of ammunition and aircraft maintenance was also noted.
NEPA of Nigeria and Eskom of South Africa, it was noted, had also entered into an agreement of collaboration.
Similarly, Spoornet and Protekon of South Africa met and agreed to explore the various areas of co-operation with Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Arivia.com were also reported to have submitted to the Nigerians a proposal on the management of information technology training and the implementation of a card based national identification system.
The two sides noted with satisfaction that the provision of the BASA signed in June 1994 was being implemented. In this connection, they noted that South African Airways had begun a weekly flight to Nigeria while Nigeria Airways was still to commence its flights to South Africa.
Both sides noted that the MOU signed between the two countries had already been implemented. Flights begun on February 21 2001, and the monetary compensation will be determined later.
Both sides noted with delight the exchange of direct mail despatch between Nigeria and South Africa as well as the exchange of Expedited Mail Services (EMS) and Electronic Mail Services. TELECOMMUNICATIONS (GSM)
The Committee was informed of the success of the South African Telecommunication Company, MTN, in the bidding for the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM).
Both sides noted that Nigeria has direct circuit to South Africa and that it was awaiting a reply to proposals made to TELCOM of South Africa for additional 20DNI bearer channel via BTP 2081 to link both countries. They also agreed to continue collaboration on SAT-3 West Africa Optical Submarine Cable Project.
The following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed in Abuja at the 3rd Session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission:
Immigration Matters between Nigeria and South Africa The discussions took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere reflecting the bonds of friendship between the two countries. Both sides affirmed their readiness to implement the decisions of the 3rd Session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission, with a view to further improving the economic, commercial, political and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides agreed that the 4th Session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission will be convened in Pretoria in the first quarter of 2002.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT DUMISANI RASHELENG
OFFICE NO.(012) 351 0067 / 0128
CELLULAR NO. 083 709 8166
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
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