FG to step in over NIMASA’s remittances to maritime academy – Minister

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki has promised that the Federal Government will take a holistic look at the remittances of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, with a view to solving the issues surrounding the releases.
Saraki said this on Thursday while fielding questions from newsmen after a facility tour of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in Akwa Ibom.
She said that there seems to be misunderstanding on how funds that should be sent to maritime academy, Oron by NIMASA did not get to maritime.
“There seems to be misunderstanding on the part of NIMASA as to how these funds are supposed to be given to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
“We already have problems on irregular remittance of five per cent funding of the Academy by NIMASA.
“It’s not in NIMASA’s pleasure, it’s not whether NIMASA wants to, or how it is NIMASA’s duty, it is not NIMASA to oversight it, NIMASA’s own is that you are supposed to give an amount to Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
“We will look into the system as it is supposed to be. We are looking at a way of seeing how this ridiculous problem go away forever.
“As at now, it is not working. The many things that have not been answered versa vis funding, amount, how remittances are done and when they are done.
“We will sit together, Independent of Maritime Academy, and NIMASA to look at what is the permanent problem and find solution because sometimes it seems we have a misunderstanding.
“We will make it very simple for everybody, so that there will be no area that we are confused,” Saraki said.
She said that maritime is a sector if harnessed properly would generate enough revenue to the economy.
Saraki said that the essence of the visit was to see how to improve the facilities in the academy, improve on the curriculum and standard of what the institution have to offer to Nigerian students and beyond.
The minister said she was satisfied with the quality of infrastructure put in place in the Maritime Academy, Oron and commended the present leadership of the institution, led by the Rector, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd).
She said that plans are on the way to ensure Nigeria dominate the rest of Africa when it comes to Seafarers in terms of training.
Earlier, the rector, said the decision to name some of the recently completed projects in academy after women, who have distinguished themselves in the sector was pro motivate other women to work hard.
Our correspondent reports that the minister inaugurated Mfon Usoro hall, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki sports pavillion and Hon. Lynda Chuba -Ikpeazu auditorium during the visit.