⇐By Our Correspondent
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State,Olorogun Okiemute Okwagbe (JP) has rained hard knocks on Rt Hon Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Aviation over the alleged planned cancellation of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko Delta State.
Describing the alleged move as an error and the climax of insensitive to the plight of the people of the Niger Delta Region in particular and Nigerians in general, Olorogun Okwagbe asserted that Amaechi has lost touch with the roots of his political career.
The PDP Chieftain who fielded questions from newsmen in Warri argued that, the idea is an agenda muted to serve selfish and clannish interest, emphasizing that, Gbaramatu Kingdom contributes immensely to the National treasury through oil production in the area.
According to him, the cancellation as proposed by the Minister will be counter productive because the reasons are predicated to settle cheap scores which are not in line with the general developmental agenda of the nation.
Corroborating what Chief Dr. E.K Clark said in his open letter to President Muhammadu Burhari, Olorogun Okwagbe maintained that, “the goose that is laying the golden egg deserves to be dressed in gold”.
Determined to deflate the Amaechi’s argument that nobody will be interested in going there for studies, Olorogun Okwagbe blew hot as he observed that if people can come from every land, clime and creed to work in Gbaramatu kingdom, there is no reason why they cannot go there for learning purpose.
Harping on the importance of the maritime University as a pride of the nation,Olorogun Okwagbe reaffirmed that, contrary to what the Transport & Aviation Minister wants President Muhammadu Burhari and Nigerians to believe, that there is nothing on ground at the permanent site, Chief Dr. E.K Clark presented a catalogue of pictures of construction works, which are on going at the permanent site at Okerenkoko.
Olorogun Okwagbe while responding to a question wondered why a man of the calibre of Amaechi could think so narrowly in the light of a nation that is in a dire need of trained marine personnel that can stand shoulder high with their equals anywhere in the world.
Expressing optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will graciously see reasons with those calling on him not to tamper with the University, Olorogun Okwagbe implored the Minister to rescind on his negative decision to work against the interest of the Niger Delta people, whom he represents in the federal executive council.
He said the presence of nautical school Oron, Cross River State, Nigeria Institute of Transport and Technology Oron, College of Aviation Technology Zaira and others which Amaechi mentioned as a yardstick for ill intention, does not translate into plausible excuse for the proposed scrapping neither are those existing institutions alternative to the Maritime University at Okerenkoko.
He averred that there are no germane reasons to conceptualize the cancellation of an important citadel of learning such as the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko, Delta State, more so; it is the first of its kind in this part of the world.
