Nigerian students warn Amaechi

olamide oni

January 22, 2016 9:17 AM

The association lamented this decision, saying it was saddening and disheartening that the federal government will choose to jeopardize a perfect dream plan

NIMASA

The National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone B has condemned the plan by the current administration to cancel Nigeria Maritime University, Gbaramatu, Delta State.

Minister for transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on January 19, said that the federal government might be forced to scrap theNigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) if it doesn’t fulfill the purpose for which it was created.

The association lamented this decision, saying it was saddening and disheartening that the federal government will choose to jeopardize a perfect dream plan of greater innovations for reasons that were barely relevant.

READ: Minister says FG might scrap NIMASA

The group has the following message for the Nigerian government.

“Issues raised by the Honorable Minister of Transportation as regarding improper location, upgrading of existing ones and financial misappropriation should rather be subject to review instead of been used as a yardstick to effect the cancellation.

“NANS holds the belief that the citing of the University in Gbaramatu will in no small measure open up the creeks and the riverine areas of the Niger Delta for more economic activities and therefore holds the view that there is no better location for the University than where it is currently located, except the Nigeria Government wants the World to believe that the South South region is only good as a polluted, exploitative and dumping ground.

READ: Former DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi appears in court on crutches

“NANS holds that millions of Nigerians are ready to pursue their career in the Maritime Educational Sector but the existing ones are not even enough to meet the need and at the same time cannot be compared to a University which is capable of producing first class manpower for the maritime industry.

“Upgrading the existing ones would mean no crime but cancellation of the new project would lean the chances of pursuing maritime industry oriented courses as the existing institutions cannot meet up to the pressures of career pursuant already on ground.

“NANS, therefore, appeals to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to give room for the cancellation of the University even as we call on all National Assembly member of South South and South East Region to intervene for our collective existence as a people.”

olamide oni