SAVE NIGER-DELTA GROUP (SNDG)
91, Effurun-Sapele Road,
Opposite Skye Bank Plc.
Effurun, Delta State.
08030891146
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED CANCELLATION OF THE NIGERIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY, OKERENKOKO
The Federal Government should not use the cancellation of the Nigerian Maritime University as a means of punishment to those who have allegedly embezzled public funds. This is for the fact that the University does not belong to those people, neither does it bear their name. Therefore, as a matter of public interest the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, should be reinstated as it is a known fact that the main aim and purpose of Government is to serve in the best interest of its people.
If there are misgivings or irregularities in the award of contracts to the building of the University, the Government is well informed in devising means to correct such irregularities. But cancelling the University as a means to restore lost funds allegedly siphoned by some persons or institutions does not in any way serve the general public interest, most especially the people of the Niger-Delta.
As a matter of national interest, at this dwindling period of our nation’s economy, it will be a waste of national revenue and tax payers’ money to abandon this project considering the volume of our National wealth that has already been invested in it. As we believe that the cancellation of the University will make no economic value, serve as no deterrent to corruption, neither will it serve as a weapon of punishment to any accused person.
Establishing a University in a rural community of Niger-Delta was first suggested by host community leaders during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in one of the meetings that gave birth to the present Oil Producing Areas Development Commission and was finally achieved during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the unanimous agreement by stakeholders that followed due process in passing through act of parliament decision in our Nation. Therefore, the University should not be proposed to be cancelled or used to settle political score.
The Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko will be of a great economic value to the society and open up those areas of the country where development is needed. As a matter of national interest, this will naturally reduce illiteracy, illegal activities, primitive acts in our creeks and which will drastically reduce militancy activities in the Niger-Delta areas because of the positive impact it is going to create in the lives of the people in the region and Nigeria at large.
The establishment of a higher institution of this sort in any part of the country is not for the sole benefit of the host communities, State, or Region, but serves as a new birth of educational and economic opportunities for all and sundry. It is sacrosanct that this University is a blessing to every young generation of Niger-Delta, both Itsekiri, Urhobo, Calabar, Benin, Isoko, Igbo and all Nigerians. It is not a crime that Northern citizens, Western citizens and Eastern citizens come to Okerenkoko to study, since Nigeria is one.
It is also condemnable for a well respected forum, the “AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM” to endorse the proposed cancellation of the Maritime University. We are not surprised for the support the AREWA’S have for the Honourable Minister of Transport who is not a Minister of Education to determine the cancellation of the University. It is becoming glaring that the AREWA’S are very happy because the Honourable Minister is obeying their instructions to cancel the proposed Maritime University to upgrade their own Aviation University, Zaria which we know is not going to be in the interest of the whole country but for their selfish aggrandizement. This shows that Amaechi’s ministerial position is in disguise in representing the Niger-Delta by fulfilling the agenda of the AREWAS which we are surprise of as One Nigeria.
We therefore urge our father of the Nation, President Muhammadu Buhari to resist any sycophant ideas or advice concerning the cancellation of the Maritime University in order for us to have absolute peace in the Niger-Delta and Nigeria at large. There is a need for the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State to be reinstated in all ramifications.
Finally we want to appeal to the Federal Government for the sake of peace and harmony to allow this school to be established. It does not matter where the University is located, because we believe that it is an opportunity for students from every part of the country to know the situation of the oil producing areas of the country, however, through this University it will enable Nigerians to understand the essence of a “United Nigeria”.
Finally, the people of the Niger-Delta let us unite to create a strong love for ourselves.
Signed
PST JACOB ABAI
National Coodinator
COMR. FIYEBO G. EPERETEI
National Spokeman
