Despite scrapping of the Maritime University of Nigeria located in Delta State by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, a bill for its establishment on Wednesday scaled second reading at the Senate.
The bill sponsored by James Manager was unanimously supported by the senators after the mover’s lead debate, making case for the establishment of the university.
The groundbreaking of the proposed school at Okerenkoko in Warri south-West local government area was done by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
Senator Manager explained that maritime sector had huge potentials and that Nigeria should have a university for the purpose of producing capable manpower for the sector which, as he said, is currently dominated by foreign interests.
On suitability of Okerenkoko for the project, he said the area was close to the sea and surrounded by oil wells.
After the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called the voice vote and the Senators unanimously responded ‘ayes’, Mr. Saraki ruled the bill be referred to the committee on tertiary education and Tetfund. The committee was asked to report back in four weeks.