A historical milestone was reached on the 21^st February 2001 in the history of African Economic Integration and South Cooperation when Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP) signed a treaty for the Joint Development of the resources in their overlapping maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Guinea.

To implement the provisions of the treaty, the two countries on the 16^th January 2001 inaugurated the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority (JDA) as a bilateral organization with full diplomatic status to regulate and manage the activities in the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) under the direction of the two heads of state and supervision of a Joint Ministerial Council whose membership is drawn from the two countries.

This year 2017 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the operations of JDA as an organization in her pursuit of the treaty mandate to develop the resources of the JDZ for the mutual benefits of the people of the state parties. Fifteen years in the life of any organization is certainly a milestone and for JDA given the progress made so far within the fifteen years of her existence, it is obvious that the vision of the founding fathers to go into this partnership is without doubt a major positive step for the advancement of the economic and social well being of the people of the two state parties.

Through the signature bonus, JDA has been able to rake in over $400,000,000 (Four Million US Dollars) as revenue into the coffers of the state parties. From 2003 licensing around JDA got over $100,000,000 (One Hundred Million US Dollars) as a signature bonus for the award of JDZ block 1. In 2004 Licensing round it received more than $300,000,000 (Three Hundred Million US Dollars) for the award of JDZ blocks 2,3 and 4 as signature bonus.

JDZ Blocks investors under the Production-Sharing Contract (PSCs) signed with JDA are required by law to execute a range of social projects in Nigeria and DRSTP as Corporate Social Responsibility Program. These projects include construction and renovation of schools, supply of equipment for science laboratories, provision of ICT facilities, etc.

A total of 55 (fifty five) social projects have so far been completed and commissioned in the state parties. The total cost of these projects is put at about $5,000,000 (Five Million US Dollars) in either Nigeria or Sao-Tome & Principe or in both countries.

The NHRD will continue to strive to strengthen its collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Government while seeking to widen her working relationship with International organizations like the FAO, IMR, NIOMR, ICCAT etc. whose expertise and cooperation are crucial for the development of the non-hydrocarbon sector of the JDZ.

The modest success recorded by the NHRD since inception in 2002 would not have been possible without the able leadership of the past Executive Directors like the late Mr. Flavio Dos Santos (The Pioneer ED) 2002 – 2004. Mr. Jorge Dos Santos, 2004 to date and Olegario Tiny, 2008 to date. The provision of social projects also include scholarship programs for deserving applications. Under the program about 1000 (One Thousand) DRST citizens are beneficiaries while Nigeria has about 1,400 who are beneficiaries of the scheme. The scholarship has cost about $1,700,000 in funding.

The Social Project was not limited to educational sector only. Under the program, a Roll-Back Malaria campaign program was launched in Nigeria to fight the scourge of malaria on the local populace through preventive measures in the mold of primary health care model where the strategy is preventive rather than curative approach…read more!

The signing of the treaty in 2001 and the subsequent establishment of the JDA in 2002 combined to act as a catalyst in; boosting bilateral relations between Nigeria and the DRSTP. The mutual goodwill and bond of friendship that has traditionally characterized their relationship over the years suddenly assumed a new dimension that found expression in a bust of bilateral activities traversing the entire spectrum of human endeavor.

Diplomatic relations soared to its peak with the JDZ Treaty serving as the jewel in the relationship. Exchange of presidential visits and summits became increasingly frequent. In 2004 a parliamentary delegation from DRSTP visited her Nigerian counterpart and a Nigerian Parliamentary delegation also visited the DRSTP Parliament to strengthen their parliamentary ties.

Nigerian Ministers are periodically in Sao Tome for the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting while their counterparts from DRSTP are often in Abuja for the same purpose as the JMC meeting alternate between the two countries.

In August 2006, a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) was signed between Nigeria and DRSTP, which provided the basic requirement for airline to operate direct commercial flight between the two countries.

In 2008, JDA organized a very successful and well-attended investment forum in Sao Tome where many Nigerian Investors had the opportunity to learn first hand of the investment prospects in the JDZ/DRSTP.

Bilateral economic relations play a strategic role in the growth and development of any economy. Some major benefits of bilateral economic relations are advantages of cash economies of scale and bilateral trade. It is very much expected that the boost in bilateral relations will sooner than later translate into increase in the volume of trade and services between the two countries.

The JDA is also seen (and rightly so) from a wider perspective as a great boost to the on going effort at economic integration of the West African sub-region. For long, development economist have harped on the need for stronger bilateral economic ties among regional countries as a way integrating the economies of the sub-region for purposes of fostering growth and development through joint ventures, partnership and other form of cooperation that can further integrate the economies of the participating countries.

The JDA is also seen as a good mechanism for conflict resolution and regional stability. By going into this partnership Nigeria and DRSTP averted an ominous boundary dispute with far reaching implications for regional stability in the Gulf of Guinea.

The State Parties have shown the world that African countries can muster the necessary trust and confidence for forging strong bilateral ties and the capacity to overcome the usual mistrust and suspicion that has plagued and undermined intra-Africa cooperation a relic of colonialism.

The way and manner the JDZ Treaty resolved the border dispute between the two countries is already bearing fruits for regional stability. Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo have signed agreement for a Joint Development Zone to be known as “Zone d Interest Commune” (Common Interest Zone) in the lower half of the Gulf of Guinea as from 2013. The agreement is expected to end the border dispute that has blocked deep water oil exploration and allow for joint development of the zone by the two countries and proceeds shared on a 50/50 basis.

The JDA since inception in 2001 has consistantly strived to be a world class organization whose operations are driven by high standards of international best practices, professionalism, transparency and accountability.

To achieve this lofty objectives it has spared no effort in training and exposing its personnel to unparalleled learning opportunities in the US, Europe the Middle East and Africa where the latest technology, developments and best practices are at play in the respective fields of specialization.

In addition to training and retraining of her personnel, the JDA ensures that the top management are made to attend workshops, conferences and seminars at leading International Fora where they have the opportunities for networking with other industry players and to share the experiences as well as learn from each other in their quest to deliver the best practice in pursuit of excellence.

This JDA policy is informed by the fact that JDA as a regulator in a highly dynamic sector like the Oil and Gas Industry must have the right calibre of personnel whose competencies are constantly updated and upgraded to be in tune with the developments in the industry.

JDA is also a trail blazer in the pursuit of good governance, transparency and accountability. This is for the fact that JDA operations are in full compliance to the provisions of the 2004 Abuja Declaration on Transparency & Accountability signed by the two countries to govern Oil and Gas activities in the JDZ. In the compliance to this declaration, JDA ensures the posting of all revenue earnings on her website as soon as they are received.

Through aggressive local content policy, JDA is making every effort to ensure that there is capacity building among the indigenous contractors operating in the JDZ in order to build requisite capacity in the Oil and Gas Sector for the host countries. This programme allows local contractors to participate in certain stages of engineering works, construction, procurement, fabrication etc in other to build capacity.

JDZ Investment International Limited (JDZIIL) is a wholly own investment arm of Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA), a joint government agency established under a treaty in 2002 by Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Sao- Tome and Principe (DRSTP) with her Head office situated at No 13 Audu Ogbeh Street off Ashek J arma Street, J abi, Abuja, Nigeria and a liaison office in Sao Tome. JDZIIL is charged with the responsibility of managing activities relating to exploration and exploitation of resources in the Joint Development Zone, an area of overlapping maritime claims between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Sao- Tome and Principe and beyond. In our role as a Special Purpose Vehicle, the JDZIIL is mandated to source for and engage in various investments in Nigeria, DRSTP and internationally which would be of benefit to the JDA and State parties. We are strategically positioned to deliver functional expertise and practical approach in investing in viable businesses in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe and Internationally in line with the international best practices and standards. JDZIIL possess the requisite skills and experience to perform effectively and efficiently.

Within our portfolio, we have interests in various projects and investments which cut across several sectors and industries such as oil and gas, integrated fisheries, agriculture, tourism and construction etc. JDZIIL was incorporated in the 2005 initially as Joint Development Zone Investment Nigeria Limited. A change in name became necessary in the year 2012 in order to reflect its true status as opposed to being perceived as a Nigeria company. The JDZIIL was approved by the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) as a Special Purpose Vehicle, in order to operate, invest and generate revenue for the JDA as the investment and commercial arm of the Joint Development Authority (JDA)…read more!