RSSDA Unfolds Plans For Maritime Varsity

The Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) has unfolded plans to establish a Maritime University in the state.
The General Manager, Business development and Job creation, RSSDA, Mrs Blessing Daniel-Kalio, who disclosed this at the Workmanship Technical Training Centre (WTTC), stakeholders’ Forum recently in Port Harcourt, also said that plans were underway to utilize the abundant Nipa Palm in the state for the production of ethanol.
Daniel-Kalio said that the proposed Maritime University would be sited at the former Government Sea School, Isaka in the Okrika Local Government Area.
She said that the Workmanship and Technical Training Centre (WTTC), Bori was part of the programme of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led government to produce technical manpower of the highest standard in the state.
The general manager said that, the stakeholders would be doing their communities a disservice if they failed to invest in technical and vocational education.
She said that the WTTC has a well equipped workshop as the cost of training has been greatly subsidized by the government.
Daniel-Kalio, who listed lack of patronage as one of the challenges facing the centre, said that the management planned to synergise with oil and gas companies in the training of youth in the state.
In their different reactions, the stakeholders commended Rivers State Government for setting up the WTTC, and prayed that subsequent changes in government would not affect it.
They called for entrepreneurial training to be included in the curriculum, while the agency should look into maritime training and agriculture.

Cross section of traditional rulers from Rivers State, Chairman Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Godwin N.K Gininwa (left), HRH Uboon U.D Ngere (2nd left),HRH Mene Samuel Nnee (2nd right) and HRH P.C Ihua-Maduenyi at the public hearing on the Rivers State Chieftaincy and council of chiefs Bill 2014, yesterday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga