Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), has assured that the state government will continue to recognise and encourage maritime institutions that are relevant in the development of youths in order to participate in diversification of the economy.

He gave the assurance yesterday while playing host to the Chairman and members of the Governing Council of Global Maritime Academy Nigeria, on a courtesy call at his office in Asaba.

Prof. Utuama noted that the state government is always pleased to see private enterprises doing very well in the development of manpower for the maritime sector in the state.

He said that the state government established the Delta State Maritime Institute in Burutu in order to harness the potential of the maritime sector which needs development in the state so as to promote indigenous skilled labour in the operations of the various ports in the state.

The deputy governor commended the management of Global Maritime Academy for being the first institution next to that of the state government that is devoted to carrying out training in the maritime sector. “We want to congratulate you for graduating the first set of students who are doing so well in the maritime industry. By this singular initiative, you are adding to the three-point agenda of this government within the larger framework of policy of ‘Delta State beyond oil’, because you are engaging in the area of human capital development,” he said.

While assuring that the state government would do everything possible to assist and encourage the Academy, Prof. Utuama noted that the Academy is relevant in the development of young ones to participate in the diversification of the economy. He directed the Special Projects Director Monitoring on Education to monitor and see how the school is being run and the prospect it has so as to know what intervention government could make.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Global Maritime Academy, Prof. Chris Orubo, who was represented by Engr. Isaiah Kekeje, said they came to brief the state government on the activities and achievements of the Academy established in 2009 and approved by both the state and federal governments.

•Photo shows Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Utuama.

Update news