FG to intervene in controversy surrounding NIMASA’s remittances to Maritime Academy – Minister
The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki has said 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, 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 the Maritime Academy, Oron by NIMASA did not get to them.
“There seems to be misunderstanding on the part of NIMASA as to how these funds are supposed to be given to the Maritime Academy, Oron.
“We already have problems on irregular remittance of five per cent funding of the Academy by NIMASA.
“It’s not at 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.
“We will look into the system as it is supposed to be. We are looking at a way of seeing how this ridiculous problem will go away forever.
“As at now, it is not working. The many things that have not been answered vis a 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 problem and find a permanent 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, which, if harnessed properly would generate enough revenue for 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 Academy 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 dominates 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 the Academy after women, who have distinguished themselves in the sector was to motivate other women to work harder.
Our Correspondent reports that the Minister inaugurated Mfon Usoro Hall, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki Sports Pavillion and Hon. Lynda Chuba -Ikpeazu auditorium during the visit.
