From Isaac Job, Uyo
The National Assembly has indicated its readiness to partner with management of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in her effort to provide modern facilities to position the institution to international standard.
According to the Senate Committee Chairman on Maritime Transportation Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, the collaboration will enable the Academy to compete with other maritime training institutions and provide more manpower to drive economic development in maritime sector .
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Speaking during the Senate Committee oversight functions visit to the Academy in Oron ,Akwa Ibom state yesterday, Eshilokun commended management of the Maritime Academy for judicious utilization of budgeted funds appropriated for the institution over the years .
” Today’s inspection of your completed and ongoing projects is nothing short of remarkable .
From the state – of – the -art marine simulators to the newly constructed classrooms, cadet hostel under renovation, jetties, boat maintenance yards and workshops are evidence that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is not only growing in infrastructure but also evolving in excellence.
He commended management ,staff and students for maritime education and discipline.
” What I have seen today gives me renewed hope in the future of our maritime sector and affirms the Academy’s strategic roles In positioning Nigeria as a Maritime hub within Africa and beyond.
Eshilokun attributed the infrastructure at the nation’s premier Maritime Academy to the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu adding that Tinubu has demonstrated strong political will and financial commitment towards transforming maritime institutions through targeted investments and policy reforms .
He therefore promised that the National Assembly will continue to provide legislative support needed to ensure the Academy receives adequate funding, policy attention and global recognition.
” Our visit to the Academy is not ceremonial . It is a constitutional responsibility rooted in the principles of checks and balances of National Assembly oversight functions.
” It is to ensure that public institutions are not only accountable but also effective in delivery of their mandates ”
Earlier ,the Acting Rector Dr Kevin Okonna briefed the Senate Committee on the formation of the Academy and development strides in the apast years .
” The Academy was established in 1977 under the ministry of Transportation adding that it has grown from Nautical College to full fledge Maritime institution through decree 16 of 1988.
” Since then we have grown in all aspects to become a centre of excellence for maritime education.
He mentioned challenges facing the institution to include inability to attract some core professionals who are paid in dollars as it is difficult to integrate them into civil service salary package .
” This is why we rely on those who have spent time in the industry and have retired to come and help us with their wealth of experiences”
Others include power challenges caused y inability to connect the institution to the national grid.
” For 8 years ,the Academy was not connected to national grid because the community did have stable power as the available power could not serve our need .
” Our management had to change policy and resort to solar power. Even at that, we couldn’t procure solar facilities for all the buildings.
” The money we got in 2024 though it came late ,we were able to reconnect the institution by purchasing three transformers to connect some parts of the Academy”. He said
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