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| National President of the IYC, Mr. Roland Pereotubo Oweilaemi |
By Nathaniel Obruthe
The
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, on Tuesday cried out that the Federal Government of Nigeria has abandoned the Nigerian Maritime University
located in Okenrenkoko, Warri South-West
Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, on Tuesday cried out that the Federal Government of Nigeria has abandoned the Nigerian Maritime University
located in Okenrenkoko, Warri South-West
Local Government Area of Delta State.
National President
of the IYC, Mr. Roland Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Esq., disclosed this in a statement made available
to journalists.
of the IYC, Mr. Roland Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Esq., disclosed this in a statement made available
to journalists.
According to the
statement, the IYC remarked that a visit to the school proved abandonment and a
condition that threatens the school’s continued existence.
statement, the IYC remarked that a visit to the school proved abandonment and a
condition that threatens the school’s continued existence.
The
statement read in part: “The Council, on our unscheduled visit to the School
was made to understand that the FG only paid N2b out of the N5b take off grant
it has earlier pledged to pay.
statement read in part: “The Council, on our unscheduled visit to the School
was made to understand that the FG only paid N2b out of the N5b take off grant
it has earlier pledged to pay.
“Even
the N3b financial appropriation in the 2018 budget for the School has not been
released to it.
the N3b financial appropriation in the 2018 budget for the School has not been
released to it.
“As we speak now,
majority of the staffs have deserted the school as the Institution is unable to
pay its staffs for many months, while the Vice Chancellor of the Institution is
moving round the Country sourcing for funds,” it said.
majority of the staffs have deserted the school as the Institution is unable to
pay its staffs for many months, while the Vice Chancellor of the Institution is
moving round the Country sourcing for funds,” it said.
The
IYC said it was regrettable how the present government reneged on its promises
to pay due attention to the school, failing on appropriate funding.
IYC said it was regrettable how the present government reneged on its promises
to pay due attention to the school, failing on appropriate funding.
The
IYC added thus: “What we find out on our
visit is an eyesore. The generating plant that has been supplying power to the
institution is not working as the management has no finance to buy diesel.
IYC added thus: “What we find out on our
visit is an eyesore. The generating plant that has been supplying power to the
institution is not working as the management has no finance to buy diesel.
“Students
and the staffs are living in hell in the School building because there is no
light. Water supply to the School has stopped because there is no light to pump
water.
and the staffs are living in hell in the School building because there is no
light. Water supply to the School has stopped because there is no light to pump
water.
“While
FG is paying due attention to some other newly established institutions in the
Country such as the Nigerian Army University, the Nigerian Maritime University,
Okerenkoko which is the only economic benefit to the economically dejected,
marginalised and pauperised Niger Delta people has been completely abandoned by
the government of President Mohammadu Buhari.
FG is paying due attention to some other newly established institutions in the
Country such as the Nigerian Army University, the Nigerian Maritime University,
Okerenkoko which is the only economic benefit to the economically dejected,
marginalised and pauperised Niger Delta people has been completely abandoned by
the government of President Mohammadu Buhari.
“After
all the promises to the Niger Delta people which have hitherto reduced the
growing tension occasioned by the resurgence of the bleak oil crisis in the
region, the FG is paying lip service to the demands of the people.
all the promises to the Niger Delta people which have hitherto reduced the
growing tension occasioned by the resurgence of the bleak oil crisis in the
region, the FG is paying lip service to the demands of the people.
“The
Nigerian government should not think it can always buy peace with lip service
by given non-implementable promises to the people.
Nigerian government should not think it can always buy peace with lip service
by given non-implementable promises to the people.
“Starving
the institution of funds upon the corresponding peace the Country is enjoying
in the oil sector means that the present Government is still neck deep in
perpetuating its illicit agenda to scrap the School.
the institution of funds upon the corresponding peace the Country is enjoying
in the oil sector means that the present Government is still neck deep in
perpetuating its illicit agenda to scrap the School.
“The
FG is playing with fire. Though we do not pray for crisis in the region, if however
the government’s lukewarmly provocative and incisive stance instigates any
breakdown of law and order in the region then the present government should be
held responsible.
FG is playing with fire. Though we do not pray for crisis in the region, if however
the government’s lukewarmly provocative and incisive stance instigates any
breakdown of law and order in the region then the present government should be
held responsible.
“President
Buhari should as a matter of urgency release funds for the School. We will
vehemently resist any move to scrap the Institution through the starving it of
funds.
Buhari should as a matter of urgency release funds for the School. We will
vehemently resist any move to scrap the Institution through the starving it of
funds.
“People
of goodwill should prevail on the government to do the needful before things
get out of control. We cannot guarantee that the existing peace in the region
will be sustained if the FG keep on maintaining its cynical stand on the
School. A stitch in time they say saves nine.”
of goodwill should prevail on the government to do the needful before things
get out of control. We cannot guarantee that the existing peace in the region
will be sustained if the FG keep on maintaining its cynical stand on the
School. A stitch in time they say saves nine.”
