Bayelsa State government has said that the proposed Maritime Academy will be run professionally devoid of government interference.
The state said the school, which is expected to take off next year, not only would generate foreign exchange earnings for the country, but also would boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
The State Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi said in Yenagoa that the 60-million Euro project was a Tied-Aid-Credit from the Polish Government, which the academy would service on its own.
He disclosed that the proposed institution would be managed by the Polish firm- Navimor International- to maintain international standards, as well as manage the credit.
The commissioner offered that the academy would benefit people of the state, particularly those seeking to pursue careers in the merchant navy.
“Bayelsa youths will receive training in the school to enable the State dominate the profession Sea Farers and other maritime specialists to the maritime Industry in Nigeria, West Africa and participate actively in the International Maritime arena,” he said.
The proposed school, added Iyabi, would help conserve Nigeria’s foreign exchange, as persons who otherwise would have enrolled in foreign academies, would train locally.
A recent bilateral meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Polish President in Abuja, disclosed the commissioner, clarified the grey areas of the project.