People of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, have urged the Federal Government to show more commitment to the opening of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
They said the situation of things at the sites of the university left much to be desired as no workers, academic or non-academic, had been mobilised to the temporary and permanent sites and that the only cleaning work going on was at the instance of efforts by the communities.
Acting secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, while speaking to the Nigerian Tribune weekend in Warri, said the Federal Government must be seen showing more commitment to the opening of the university as promised during the visit of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo last January.
“The issue of the university that is on is something that is causing a lot of worries now. As I speak to you now, the House Committee on Maritime just visited us in the village, but the promises have been that in the next session, which is September, there is not a single security guard, not to talk of cleaners that will prepare the place for academic activities. So, we are worried,” he disclosed.
Gbenekama added that contractors had not been mobilised back to site, reiterating that “it is the community that has been struggling to keep the security guards and cleaners and they are the ones paying them.”
According to him, “if government is making a pronouncement, they should be followed by actions.”
Meanwhile, governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has said that the expected take-off of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko would consolidate on the existing peace and security in the Niger Delta when it comes into mainstream.
The governor stated this in Asaba weekend when Hon. Mohammed Bago, Chairman, House Of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration and other members of the Committee paid him a visit.
Senator okowa said that concerted efforts by all stakeholders were needed to consolidate the peace and security.
He stressed that “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”, he added.
Dr. Okowa commended the zeal of the National Assembly to help maintain the peace in the region assuring that their visit would douse the tension already building in the region and reassured the people of government’s commitment to the take-off of the Maritime University.
Speaking earlier, Hon. Bago said that the committee was in the state to get a first-hand assessment of the level of work at the university, promising that the committee would conclude its work early to enable the university take-off this year.