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THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, NDIMRC, has rained heavy knocks on the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside over his recent statement that the agency would not fund the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
Peterside, recently declared that the agency will continue to fund the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, but noted however that it will not fund the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, which is currently under construction, as there is no part of the Maritime Act that made provision for such funding. He made the declaration while speaking at a dinner organised for journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The oil monitoring group hailed Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) for the massive structures he singlehandedly provided for the smooth take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, describing him as undisputed hero in the Niger Delta Region. But in a press statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma, Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Office (PRO) Stanley Mukoro, the group oil monitoring expressed disappointment with the NIMASA boss, over his recent statement regarding the funding of the University.
According to the group, the Maritime University, Okerenkoko is an initiative of NIMASA, saying the agency cannot shy away from its funding and warned against statement capable of rocking security situation in the region. “We want to express our disappointment with the NIMASA boss, Dakuku over his recent statement that the agency cannot fund the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The statement is uncalled for at a time when people are clamouring for the smooth take off of the University,” the group said. The group added that; “The Federal Government and members of the National Assembly are working very hard to ensure the take off of the University and restore peace to the Niger Delta region, yet Dakuku who is from the region and expected to encourage the whole process is making unguided statement regarding the funding of the University.
This is sad and we are highly disappointed with the NIMASA boss”. Describing Tompolo as a hero, the group said he has done a lot for Gbaramatu people and the entire Niger Delta region in terms of physical development, saying he should be commended for the massive structures he erected for the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko and implored the NIMASA boss to join other well meaning people of the region to facilitate the take off of the University.
The group stated that if the Maritime University commences academic activities, it will go a long way in eradicating militancy and other challenges confronting the Niger Delta, adding that the statement credited to the NIMASA boss was capable of undermining the prevailing peace of the region.
“We are aware of the plot by the Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and the NIMASA boss are making to scrap the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, but they should be rest assured that the University has come to stay. We want to also commend the Senate for shunning the Transport minister for ensuring that the bill for the establishment of the Maritime University scaled second reading”, the group said.
“Dr Dakuku and his boss, Rotimi Amaechi are out to frustrate the recent visit of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to the temporary site of the University where he was amazed with the structures he saw on ground. Before now, the likes of the NIMASA boss and Rotimi Amaechi have been telling the whole world that there were no structures for the take off of the University and now that the Vice President has seen things for him, they are out again with the issue of funding.
The recent statement of the NIMASA boss is capable of causing problems in the region and he should be called to order by the Presidency”. According to the group;”We should all support the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko. Nigeria will be the first to have Maritime University in West Africa if the Nigerian Maritime University is allowed to take off.
The United States Consul general in Nigeria, John Bray was impressed with what he saw at the temporary site of the Nigerian Maritime University when he visited on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 and this is why the likes of the NIMASA boss, Dr Dakuku should join hands with others to see that the dream of establishing the University true the effort of one man, Tompolo is realized.” – Vanguard
— Feb 13, 2017 @ 18:00 GMT
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