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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said it was not opposed to establishment of Maritime University at Okerenkoko, Warri South council of Delta State.
The agency has therefore, denied what it described as “speculations in a section of the media and a press statement from the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to the effect that the Agency is opposed to the establishment of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”
A statement by Isichei Osamgbi, corporate communications of NIMASA, said, the assertion was “far from the truth, and it has become necessary to clarify the issue, as the Federal Government is committed to the actualisation of the project, which the Agency conceived.”
It also denied the assertion that at no time did Dakuku Peterside, NIMASA director-general, say anything contrary to the Federal Government’s position on the Maritime University issue; adding that “we solidly stand behind the Federal Government on its determination to actualise the project.”
The federal agency noted that benefits derivable from the setting up of the institution will be quite numerous; adding that apart from becoming “a citadel for knowledge and development of human capital, job opportunities will be created to the Nigerian people, particularly the community.”
It said it was pertinent to note that NIMASA is supporting every aspect of the law in its determination to fulfill its obligations.
According to the NIMASA corporate communications, the National Assembly recently held a public hearing on the Maritime University matter; and it is expected that the funding of the institution and other aspects of running it would be specified in the Act setting up the University.
The bill establishing the Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State, was passed by the Senate in 2014, and was sponsored by James Manager (PDP-Delta). It was unanimously supported by the senators after the mover’s lead debate, making case for the establishment of the university.
The groundbreaking of the proposed school at Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, was done by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and, and according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, physical assets were on site.
