The proposal on the establishment of Maritime University of Nigeria at Okerenkoko in Delta State, Wednesday suffered great setback as the Bill supporting it which was brought by Senator James Manager (PDP), Delta Central Senatorial District failed on the floor of the Senate.http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/maritime-university-will-be-generating-billions-of-dollars-from/
James Manager explained that the establishment of Maritime University would produce manpower in the Maritime industry, a situation that past administration couched on in order to come up with the said proposal.
“A Bill for an Act to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria, Okerenkoko and for other matters connected therein,” Manager proposed.
After his presentation, Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District was the first to shut down the proposal by maintaining that it would have been proper for the existing Nigeria Maritime Academy, Oron in Akwa Ibom to be upgraded instead establishing new one so as to save cost.
In the same vein, Binta Mashi posited that the terrain of the proposed University was unsuitable, noting that it was improper to take a boat and travel on waters for 30 minutes before reaching the place.
However, Nelson Effiong, Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in his contribution, reminded the Senate that the Maritime Academy at Oron which situates in his Senatorial District that have trained Seafarers in the last 30 years of its existence was approved by former President, Goodluck Jonathan and that it has since been with the National Universities Commission.
He was emphatic that government should work on the approval in order to upgrade rather than starting fresh one for economic reasons.
“The National Maritime Academy at Oron has been operating for 30 years and based on the track record, former President Jonathan approved its upgrade to a University status and the approval has been with NUC”, Effiong pointed.
Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, on his part envisaged security challenges because of isolation of the environment, stressing that Oron should be upgraded.
“A University need serene and peaceful environment and this one cannot be situated at Okerenkoko,” Sani pointed.
Former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio revealed that his administration did relocate land owners with compensation following government’s willingness to upgrade Maritime Academy at Oron.
He reasoned that the Academy which has trained professionals in Maritime industry should be allowed a degree awarding institution.
When it became obvious that the bill had suffered Setback, James Manager withdrew the bill, promising that it will be represented at the appropriate time.
(DAILY POST)
