By Jimitota Onoyume 

 A hostel accomodation with 96 bed space built by Shell Petroleum Development Company ,SPDC and its joint venture partners for the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State has been commissioned and formerly handed over to the university.

At the commissioning ceremony in Okerenkoko Vice Chancellor of the university Professor . Emmanuel Adigio expressed gratitude to the oil giant for the donation , assuring that the school will ensure adequate maintenance of the hostel accomodation fitted with modern day facilities to enhance learning. 

The Vice Chancellor also drew attention to challenges facing the university which he said included electricity , shortage of lecture halls, accomodation for staff, water ways transportation and a few others.

He further lauded Shell for its commitment to development of the university. 

He said : “Today, we mark another important day in the annals of Nigeria Maritime University with the commissioning of this hostel designed with a vision of international standards to accommodate as many as ninetysix (96) students. We count ourselves lucky to have been singled out to benefit constantly from your philanthropic gestures within our country and we do not in any way take this for granted.

“As an institution that has been struggling to find its feet since its inception, this collaboration by your organizations, including all you have been doing for us and continue to do, is a manifestation that, indeed, you are good and hold the maritime education at high esteem. As we celebrate this kindness of yours, we cannot quickly forget the contributions of other benefactors which time and space would not permit us to list. May we inform you that your earlier contribution of Auditorium is being utilized and deeply appreciated.

“The housing challenge that we face as a Maritime Institution has been threefold, with the most important being the challenge of inadequate Hostel accommodation to meet our student population growth.

“The second and related challenge is the inadequacy of lecture rooms and accommodation for staff and students respectively. Lastly is the challenge of providing electricity which we very well know is the bedrock of all research activities and day-to-day running of administrative duties.

“While it is unfortunate that these challenges continue to hit us in the face, even with the little assistance from the government, philanthropic organizations like yours, interventionists, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), whose initiative birthed

this institution, this institution has continued to grow though at a slow”

Dr Emmanuel Boyitie Head of Information and Public relations unit of the University and Mrs Boyitie-Worwei Rita of the public relations department also lauded Shell for the donation.

The Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas Chief Peter Oviejitobor , Chairman Kurutie community Peter Wilson in their separate speeches commended the company. The Commissioner said through corporate social responsibilities company’s add value to their areas of operations , adding that to sustain peace in communities companies should respect agreements they go into with their host communities.

Mr Igo Weli General Manager Corporate relations for Shell companies ,Nigeria and Lawson Edith of Nigeria National Petroleum company limited, NNPCL charged the university to take good care of the hostel and facilities. Mr Weli said the donation was part of Shell’s commitment to improvement of education in the country.

The hostel fitted with air conditioners has reading halls, libraries, common rooms. The common room and offices in the building have television sets with pay tvs. Each of the rooms for the students has air conditioners , kitchen, toilet and bathroom attached.  

At the time of the commissioning the students were not on campus.