The House Of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration today said the long wait for the kick off of activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko will soon be a thing of the past.
Members of the committee gave the assurance when they visited Delta State Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa, at the Government House in Asaba.
The lawmakers are in the state to get a first-hand assessment of the level of work at the university. They promised that work will be concluded early to enable the university take off in September this year.
The Chairman of the Committee, Umar Bago, said, “The Maritime University is a very important institution in the Niger-Delta Region. We intend to complete our work in about a week and we are hopeful that academic activities at the university will take off in September.”
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the expected take-off of the university would consolidate on the existing peace and security in the Niger Delta.
He added that concerted efforts by all stakeholders were needed to consolidate the peace and security that currently exists in the state.
“With everybody working together – the state, Federal Government and National Assembly, peace is achievable.
“It is important that we get the university started because it is one of the promises made to maintain the peace. We are encouraged that the National Assembly has taken the bull by the horn and we hope that the law will be passed by September and the university will get started by the end of the year.
“The university is sited in a difficult terrain, but we produce oil there, therefore we need to ensure that the university comes to fruition because it will serve a lot of people in that area and affect the lives of the people positively.”
The governor praised the National Assembly for its zeal to help maintain the peace in the region while assuring members of the committee that their visit would douse the tension in the region.
Governor Okowa also assured the people of government’s commitment to the take-off of the Maritime University.
