Reps laud Maritime Academy's budget performance,

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has praised the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron for its impressive budget performance. The committee also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for pioneering Nigeria’s Blue Economy policy.

During an oversight visit to the academy, Vice Chairman Uduak Alphonsus Odudoh expressed satisfaction with the projects undertaken by the institution, emphasising its critical role in Nigeria’s economic diversification.

Odudoh noted that the maritime sector is the next big thing after oil, and the academy’s infrastructural and training equipment upgrades require sustained funding.

The committee’s positive assessment of MAN Oron’s budget performance is a testament to the institution’s effective management.

Oyetola’s Blue Economy policy has also been hailed as a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime sector, with plans to prioritize ports infrastructural development, maritime administration, and human capacity building.

The Minister has presented a N10.9 billion budget for the 2024 fiscal year to the National Assembly, outlining initiatives to strengthen the Blue Economy in Nigeria. With the committee’s endorsement, MAN Oron is poised to play a vital role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and diversification.

The lawmaker who stood in for the Committee Chairman, Khadija Buka Abba Ibrahim, said Nigeria needs the critical support of the academy to continually produce the required manpower geared towards harnessing the full benefits from our waters.

While commending the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna for improving on the achievements of his successor and promoting robust relationship with the host community, the lawmaker said the federal government and the entire maritime industry stakeholders should support the academy to continually play it’s role of offering specialised training.

He described the academy as a vital national asset serving Nigeria and other countries with prospects of becoming the best in Africa.