Insist On Remittance of Funds as Duty not Favour

Hon. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State, Transportation

The minister of state for transportation Senator Gbemisola Saraki has expressed worry on issues affecting funding of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN.

Speaking with select journalists when she commissioned some just completed projects at the Academy, the Minister said funding for the Academy being an issue already provided for statutorily, should ordinarily run seamlessly. However, she noted that notwithstanding the 5% Legislative provision, the Academy has consistently cried for funds to implement it training mandate.

The Rector and Minister during the tour of facilities at the Academy

When asked how to resolve the lacuna of the 5% provision Saraki said “I think the time has come to resolve this issue once and for all and clear all grey areas where people involved seem to be having issues. A lot of people like to blow grammar and take shelter under words and statements. The FMOT is going sit-down, take a holistic look at the issues surrounding funding of the Academy and agree on the way to go”.

“For decades we have been on this issue and government after government the issue seems not to have been cleared-so all of us at the Ministry have to look at the matter critically and if there is any grammar that is confusing anybody we will have to clear such grammar, explain such provision and simplify everything so that all of us can be on the same page.

The Rector explains a point to Hon Lynda Ikpeazu during the visit

“When I was at the Senate we had this issue, now I am at the executive the issue is still there. My sister, Hon Lynda is also very involved and concerned; all of us including management of MAN and NIMASA have to come together and find out what the issues are and clear them so that everybody will be happy”.

“The funding of MAN by NIMASA is a duty not something that the Agency should be doing at its pleasure”. Senator Saraki stated

Giving further insight into her visit to the Academy, the Minister said she was at the Academy to see how the Academy was faring, find out areas where improvements are needed and bring about the desired change and improvements in the areas of curriculum, training courses and other needs of the Academy.

“We are here to find out and see areas needing attention in the services of the Academy to the country. The days of finger pointing, blame game and name calling are over. The government, stakeholders must now come together and take this Academy to where it ought to be”

The Minister at the Chartroom with a Cadet of the Academy

“No doubt support has been given but there’s always room for improvement. We are here to talk to each other frankly, the Executive and Legislative arms of government have mutual interest which is development the country, empower citizens by seeking ways and means of reducing our dependence on oil”

“The Maritime sector is one area that has been identified as having the potentials through which diversification of the economy can be achieved”.

“As you are aware seafaring is a very crucial aspect of global shipping. It is the intention of the Federal government to dominate that area in Africa just as the Philippines is doing, countries like Ghana, Benin Republic and others are posing some sort of competition but we have to subdue them by taking our rightful place in the region”

“The Academy is our national training institution in this business and we must provide all the support required if the school is to provide the required training”.

“This makes the issue of funding of the Academy a very important issues at the moment and if the law has been made and the law is not working or not being complied with, there is urgent need to face the matter and settle it in the interest of the country”.

The Minister refused to speak on what actions the FMOT intends to take on the issue saying “Its an internal matter exclusive to the FMOT and those concerned, all of us are going to talk eye ball to eye ball and put this funding issue to rest”

Hopefully, this ministerial resolve is likely to put all funding issues affecting the Academy to rest in the days to come as maritime stakeholders express high optimism on the resolution of the imbroglio.