Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The federal government on Wednesday inaugurated an Interim Management Committee with the mandate to reposition the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Cross River State, as an institution that will bridge the gap of technical know-how that currently exists in the maritime sector.
Inaugurating the Committee in Abuja, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi hinted that the kind of graduates that the institution is currently producing as well as the facilities is a shame to the country.
The minister stated that the report of the one month Committee set up on the 20th of January 2017 revealed that there was derailment by the Academy from its core mandate and complete decay in all aspects.
According to him, “The magnitude of the problems exposed in the interim report more than justified the time taken to produce the result; ranging from curricular to cadets admission and welfare. Consequently, it took the committee two months to submit the interim report”.
He added: “Indeed, it is in appreciation of your tremendous work that the government considered it expedient to appoint you to manage the affairs of the Academy by implementing those recommendations in your report and all other measures necessary to achieve the desired result.”
He reaffirmed that the ministry would provide the necessary resources that will enable the school function.
“Once again, I assure you of the ministry’s cooperation and support in the course of the assignment. As much as possible, I and indeed the management team of the Ministry will remain accessible to you all the time and wish you all the best.
“I thank you for the tremendous work you have already done and that I have no doubt you will work even harder to transform the Academy into a place that not only me and you but all Nigerians will be proud of.”
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Adebayo Saromi said that the committee will work on all the recommendations in the initial report in turning around the fortune of the school.
He commended the Ministry for its enormous support and promised that the Committee will reciprocate by repositioning the Maritime Academy.
