Senate Advances On Maritime University Bill

The Senate has passed the bill for establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State for third reading.

Sponsor of the bill, James Manager argued that maritime sector had huge potentials and that Nigeria should have a university. This will produce capable manpower for the sector which is currently dominated by foreign interests.

He further described Okerenkoko as a suitable site for the institution. He said the area was close to the sea and surrounded by oil wells.

Senators Supports Motion

Also, Senator Fauster Ogola said the giving legal backing to the school would make Nigeria become a hub of manpower development in the Maritime sector.

He added that Nigeria would be the first to have maritime university in West Africa once the bill received approval of the National Assembly ultimately.

Other senators supported the move, including Gbenga Ashafa and Jibrin Barau.

The senators unanimously agreed after the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called the voice vote. The Senate president then ruled that the bill be referred to the committee on tertiary education and Tetfund.

The committee is expected to submit its report in four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Senate made progress on the bill to make the Maritime Academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State a degree awarding institution. The bill, proposed by Effiong Nelson was also read for the second time.