N2bn billed to kick off maritime university inadequate —Gbaramatu council

The yet-to-be-released N2 billion for the take-off of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State may not be adequate, it has been gathered.

The bill establishing the controversialuniversity which is already at an advanced stage at the National Assembly is believed a done-deal according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo some times ago.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered during the week that the N2 billion take-off grant still being awaited might after all, not be sufficient for the commencement of academic activities at the university, latest November.

Officials of theuniversity are, however, said to be making frantic efforts to put things in place, mobilising the entire Gbaramatu kingdom in the process.

Droves of people including would-be students are said to be moving in and out of the area, with some already acquiring accommodation in preparation for the take-off.

Speaking with the spokesperson of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, he said the pending endorsement at the National Assembly would not stop work on the university campus.

Gbenekama, who confirmed that the N2 billion had not been paid into theuniversity’s account as of press time, said N10 billion was actually the total money expected from the Federal Government before it was reduced to N2b.

“But all those activities will not stop the kick off of the Maritime University. We are still expecting the money.

“I have not spoken to the VC if she has received the money but as at last week, the money had not come into the coffers of the university.

“I have told the delegation of Gbaramatu that the university matter is settled that very soon, it will kick off and you are also aware that the Vice President said the presidency had approved N2billion for the kickoff of the university.

“The university matter, as far as I’m concerned, has been settled. Within this October or latest November, the university will kick off.

As of now, before something will happen at the site, money has to be in the account of the university.

“I can authoritatively say that the VC has been moving round to ensure that we get the money and take off immediately.

“We believe everything is fine and the community is still having the feeling of a universitycommunity.

“People are coming in and going out, there are students trying to rent houses, trying to get accommodation and all that to meet up.

“There is no challenge apart from that of the fund because we know that N2 billion is not very adequate, but we are fighting to see how we can take off with the little money provided so that we can see what the government has to offer.

“Sincerely speaking, the money is not enough. The university demanded N10 billion and we thought that at least N5 billion would be released so that at least the university can kick off and the Gbaramatu people will have a sense of belonging.

“But anyhow, whatever money they provide we will advise that the VC should make judicious use of that money,” he reiterated.

Chief Gbenekama, however, warned in the native proverb that “I want to remind the federal government that an animal that was helped to escape the trap has not left the bush.

“There is always going to be oil, pipeline, whatever they say, whether oil is going. I know that the mainstay of the Nigerian economy as of today is oil and the oil and pipelines are all over the place, they should make the people of Niger Delta happy, let them feel that they have a right to education.

They should try and fund the university properly so that the Niger Delta people can also be educated like any other people.”

On the sustained contestation of the Itsekiri that the site of the university belongs to them as it originally bears Okerengho, the Gbaramatu scribed said the Ijaws have no issues with the Itsekiris.

“They said they have a place called Okerengho, we have Okerenkoko. If they want to have 1, 000 universities in Okerengho, we don’t have a problem but Okerenkoko is the community of the Ijaws, hosting the University and we believe that the starting of the university will make Okerenkoko a better place for every Niger Deltan to benefit from.

“If the Itsekiris have anything to say, they should say it, if they don’t have anything against the university, they should allow the university start, sponsor the bill on where and how to start the university in Okerengho, but the one of  Okerenkoko should stay, “ he averred.