…But NANS Kicks Against The Decision

The National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone B has condemned and rejected the recently announced cancellation of the Nigeria Maritime University, Gbaramatu in Delta State.
The association in a statement said it is disheartening that the Federal Government of Nigeria rather than support the move by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to offer qualitative maritime educational service to the Nigerian populace and benefit of the maritime industry, it chose to truncate a lofty project for reason that are irrelevant.
The statement said the leadership of NANS in the South South and South East regions strongly detest the move because it jeopardizes the chances of raising sound technopreneur in the maritime industry.
The statement added: “We urge the FG, instead of cancelling the project, to review it and maximize the positivity in it, in order to add a feather to Nigeria’s cap amongst the comity of nation.
“Issues raised by the Honourable Minister of Transportation regarding improper location, upgrading of existing ones and financial misappropriation should rather be subject to review instead of being used as a yardstick to effect the cancellation.
“NANS holds the believe 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.
“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 limit 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 appeal 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 s of South South and South East Region to intervene for our collective existence as a people.”