THE Chairman of the Host Communities Of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Delta State, Comrade Kingsley Ikiere  has appealed to  the Federal Government to open the Nigerian Maritime University,  Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday at Oporoza, Headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom during the visit of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to the area, Comrade Ikiere said that the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, will fast track development in the entire Niger Delta Region and pleaded with the Federal Government to do everything possible for the take off of the University.

According to him, approval for the University was given by the Federal Executive Council in 2015 with Principal officers duly appointed with a temporary campus secured at Kurutie not far away from Okerenkoko, describing the University as first of its kind in the Country

“I want the whole world to know that there is no justification whatsoever in delaying the academic take off of the University. Solid structures have been built. We should not play politics with the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, that is expected to transform the Niger Delta Region”, he said.

He added that;”I want to be  hopeful that with the visit of the Vice President  today, the take off of the University will be finally resolved. The resolution of issues surrounding the smooth take off of the University is a sure way of securing peace in the region”.

Comrade Ikiere said;”The smooth take off of the University will take many of our restive youths out of the street: it will create numerous job opportunities for our people and give our people the opportunity to go to school as well. Therefore, the Federal Government should urgently do the needful for the smooth take off of the University”.