Scrapping of the Maritime University an Invitation to Anarchy - Delta Group

The plan by the FG to scrap the Maritime University at Okrenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West LGA of Delta State can provoke violence in the Niger Delta region, a Delta State Anti-Corruption group, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC) said on Saturday.

In a statement by the group National President, Alaowei Cleric Esq., the group stressed that the scrapped group was set up to compensate the educationally disadvantaged region.

“The school is the only gain from the FG to compensate the educationally disadvantaged region.

It must be recalled that Niger Delta region was once a hot bed of militants activities which almost run the Country’s economy aground, the struggle was allegedly instigated by the criminal neglect, marginalisation as well as a decade-long underdevelopment of the region by successive Government since independence

Alaowei continued “The whole of Ijaw land in inspite of her enormous contributions to the Nation economy has no single tertiary institution. The Establishment and citing of the University at Okrenkoko in Warri South West LGA of Delta State by Former President Goodluck Jonathan is a right thing in the right direction.

“The importance of education in nation building cannot be overemphasized. The Former President knew its importance to the riverine areas particularly in maritime administration, hence Gbaramatu Kingdom became the choice of the Government.

“There is no better location in the whole of this Country than Okrenkoko in Warri South West LGA of Delta State. Amaechi, the cupbearer whom the Government has sent to do the hatchet job should be declared enemy of peace and progress.

If the oil rich but economically disadvantaged, dejected, marginalized and underdeveloped Gbaramatu Kingdom is not good enough to have a university cited in it then why the bulk of oil from the Kingdom is good to feed the Nation?

“Amaechi’s disdainful suggestion that Okrenkoko is not a better location for the University due to its difficult terrain is a scathing remark nurtured by the Government to insult the Ijaw race.

“We view the comment as a racial discrimination, a script prepared by the Government of the day and being  broadcasted by Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to ridicule the people of Niger Delta for being in a difficult terrain that hitherto produces the wealth of this nation.

“This is a gross violation of all known International Treaties Nigeria is signatory and the 1999 Constitution of FRN. Amaechi’s excesses must be tamed by the Government if it want to sustain the existing peace in the region otherwise his careless utterances may plunge the Country into an unimaginable crisis that jeopardize our fragile unity.

“In the face of the looming conflagration resulting from the Government’s decision to deny Ijaw people of educational right, we hereby call on people of goodwill and lovers of democracy to prevail on the FG to rescind its divisive and discriminatory decision to scrap and transfer the University to the North.

“President Buhari is free to establish as many school as he his Government can fund. The Government is executing economic war of aggression against the region perhaps for the reason that the region gave him 5% votes. Buhari and his power-hungry aids should not and must not be allowed to remove the Maritime University from the Gbaramatu Kingdom. That is the height of executive recklessness and they must be resisted by any means necessary within the ambit of the law.

“We are also calling on the National Assembly to as a matter of necessity and for the sake of our corporate existence reject President Buhari’s proposal to remove the Maritime University from the Gbaramatu Kingdom. This Kingdom is host to many oil Multi-Nationals including the Chevron Operational Headquarters. These companies have being operating under the most conducive atmosphere in the Kingdom and they have not had any issue with their host for over the years.

“The excuse that the Kingdom is not peaceful for parents to send their children to the school is most ridiculous because not even the oil companies and other local and international business ventures in the area have never raised any security issue. We see Amaechi’s uncultured homily as a ploy to remove the school from the Gbaramatu Kingdom and re-establish it in his hometown in Rivers State.”

Scrapping of the Maritime University an Invitation to Anarchy - Delta Group