March 13, (THEWILL) — The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has commended the management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, for what it described as impressive infrastructure development and improved administrative transparency.
Members of the committee gave the commendation on Thursday during an oversight visit to the institution, where they reviewed the implementation of the academy’s 2025 budget and inspected key facilities on campus.
Speaking after the tour, the Vice Chairman of the committee, Hon. Uduak Alphonsus Ududoh, said the panel was satisfied with both the level of accountability demonstrated by the academy’s leadership and the physical projects executed with funds appropriated by the National Assembly.
According to him, the committee received comprehensive briefings from the management supported by documentary evidence and visual records detailing projects carried out within the budget year.
“So far, from the interactions we had with the management and from what we have seen on ground, we are satisfied”, Ududoh said.
The lawmaker, who represents Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, noted that the current leadership of the academy had built on the achievements of its predecessor while recording measurable improvements within a short period.
He particularly pointed to the rising number of cadets graduating from the academy and those currently deployed on vessels for mandatory sea-time training, describing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing concerns about career pathways for maritime graduates.
“Any parent bringing a child here wants to know what happens after graduation. That has been a challenge in the past, but the management is making progress in that area”, he added.
Ududoh also highlighted the academy’s growing collaboration with international maritime institutions and professional bodies, noting that such partnerships were crucial to strengthening training standards and global recognition for Nigerian cadets.
The committee urged the management to sustain the pace of development while calling on staff members to support the leadership in advancing the academy’s mandate.
“The rector has demonstrated the level of transparency we expect, and we are not disappointed”, he said.
Earlier, the Acting Rector of the academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, said the institution was intensifying efforts to expand international partnerships and attract foreign students to fully utilise the academy’s extensive facilities.
He noted that the Federal Government had invested heavily in the institution and stressed the need for stakeholders to ensure the country derives maximum benefits from the academy.
“We have an academy in which the government is investing significant resources. We must work together to ensure Nigeria gets the full benefits from it”, Okonna said.
Members of the committee later inspected key facilities within the academy and witnessed a guard of honour mounted by cadets.
Other lawmakers on the oversight visit included Hon. Ambaiowei Ebikebina, Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, Hon. Mark Esset and Hon. Paul Ekpo.
