The President General of Oron Union, Dr Effiong Edunam has commended the effort of the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South senatorial district in the national assembly, Senator Nelson Effiong for his initiative and passion at ensuring that the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Maritime Studies in Oron (FUMSO) has scaled through the second reading, which passage may come up very soon.
Read more after the cut....
The presidency had promised last week during a town hall meeting by the acting president Yemi Osinbajo with the stakeholders of Akwa Ibom state, that as soon as the senate passes the law establishing the Maritime University, they will not hesitate to put assent to it and ensure the commencement of a full fledge university from the present Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
Reacting to the promised by the presidency, who also revealed that funds for the completion of Ibaka deep seaport has been included in the 2017 budget of the federal government, the President general of Oron Union, Dr Effiong Edunam said the people of Oron and other Niger Delta states are fade up with promises, what they are looking for now is action.
According to Dr Edunam, an erudite academic, “Our son Distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong has done a fantastic job at the senate, that is what we were yearning for over the years, Hon. Robinson Uwak also did well during the 7th national assembly, but his effort lapsed at the end of that assembly, but it is a thing of joy that we have somebody in person of Senator Nelson Effiong, who has a good mind and capacity to revived the bill at the senate, so the bill is closer to passage than at any time in the history of that struggle, we really thank Senator Effiong for that initiative”.
On Ibaka Deep Seaport, Dr Edunam, who is also a member of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDF reminded the presidency that the people of Oron has had many of such promises in the past, and it’s time they backed it with action.
He explained that one year provision in the budget of the federal government cannot complete Ibaka Deep Seaport, adding that the seaport in Ibaka was talked about before the one at Badagery, Lagos, but as at now, the seaport at Badagery has 2018 completion date, while the one at Ibaka has no completion date.
Dr Edunam described the promise by the presidency as a step in the right direction, but noted that the issue with Ibaka deep seaport is handled with levity for too long, saying the people of Akwa Ibom State want it completed.
Speaking with the Special Assistant to Senator Nelson Effiong on Media, Mr Eteyen Okwong informed our correspondent that the passage and signing into law of the law establishing Maritime University in Oron is very dear to the heart of the distinguished senator, and he is working assiduously for its actualization.
The bill which has enjoyed a successful Public Hearing is for the enactment of a law establishing a Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron (FUMSO).
Source..Bassey Willie
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