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The Senate has announced plans to investigate the delay in the take-off of University of Maritime Studies, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
This followed concerns raised by the senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Ekong Sampson, during the budget defence of the Senate Committee on Marine and Blue Economy with the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Recall that Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron was upgraded to University of Maritime Studies, Oron, in 2021 by the then President Muhammadu Buhari following his assent on an Act of Parliament.
Speaking, Senator Sampson regretted that despite the change in legal status, the institution has not yet fully commenced operations as a university.
Sampson while describing the upgrade as a landmark development, stated that the transformation of the academy into a university was of immense importance to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria large, in view of Nigeria’s aspirations in the marine and blue economy sector.
He told the committee that his people have been longing to see the institution function in line with its new status, even as he tasked the Committee on Marine and Blue Economy to expedite necessary actions to ensure the take-off of the university under its new legal framework.
He said, “I want to appeal to my colleagues to expedite action to ensure that University of Maritime Studies Oron takes off as soon as possible, there is an Act assented to by the President and that Act should be respected, so that when we are coming back next year what we see here fully budgeted for is not the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, but the University of Maritime Studies, Oron which will be an upgrade of this institution.”
In his remarks, Senator Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader, cautioned the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy against imminent legal complications if it continues to receive appropriations for an institution whose status had changed and still presents it in the budget as a mere academy.
He said, “Proper alignment between the institution’s legal status and its budgetary classification is important to avoid potential infractions and ensure transparency in public expenditure.”
Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine and Blue Economy, Senator Eshilokun, promised that the matter would be properly examined for appropriate administrative and legislative action in line with the law.
Senate to probe delay in take-off of University of Maritime, Oron
