Provost Requests Government's Intervention Fund For College

Dr Chuks Onuoha, the provost of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, has called on the Federal Government's special intervention to promote training in the institution.

In a interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesdy in Lagos, Onuoha said the special intervention would enable the college to acquire a training vessel and other needs for the development of the sub-sector in the country.

The provost who commended the government for the support on the workshop and infrastructure of the college noted that acquiring the training vessel is beyond the budget of the college.

“The infrastructure development in the college has been taken to the next level; the complex was donated by the Japanese government through agreement with the Nigerian government to ensure its maintenance.

“Immediately we came on board, we saw the need to expand the infrastructure and the government has been supportive in terms of the necessary funding to enhance the infrastructure facilities, especially in terms of buildings, equipment and workshop.

“Just like Oliver Twist, we will keep on asking for more; we need a training vessel because we spend so much on training of cadets for ship handling and maneuvering.

“So, if we can have our ship, it will reduce the stress we are having in that regard,” he said.

The provost added: “the institution is requesting for marine simulator both for the engine and the deck, full bridge mission and full engine mission.

“All these are very expensive and not something that the normal budget of an institution can carry.”

Onuoha stated the college's contribution to the development of marine and fisheries technologies in the country.

He added that the college was able to develop indigenous technologies needed to enhance fish production and marine activities.

“The college was established for the advancement of marine and fisheries technologies.

"Before its establishment, foreigners dominated the marine technology sub-sector, but the college alumni are now gradually replacing the foreigners,” he said.

According to Onuoha, the college offers special programmes such as innovation and research development in fisheries and marine to improve on what is currently obtainable in the nation.

“That will add value to the existing technology in terms of feeds for fish and engineering equipment for Marine activities,” he said.