The people of Ossemotor autonomous Community in Oguta local government area of Imo state have been extolled for their resilience and for keeping positive spirit over the state Marine University, Ossemotor Oguta which was abandoned for decades.
An eye witness account and reports from government officials who visited the Marine University site recently had it that the project remained secured, devoid of vandalization of any kind despite years it had layed waste in the forest; commended the communal efforts of Ossemotor people for keeping faith and taking upon them the responsibility of protecting the Citadel’s of learning they yearned for the region.
Recalled that Imo Marine University Ossemotor building project started in the year 2013, sited on over 60 hecters of land with 150 meters water front at Oguta Blue Lake Resort which posses potential of attracting other major economic investment and educational opportunities in the areas.
Speaking during an inspection visit to the project site, the Honourable Commissioner for State Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence, Dr Henry Uzo Okafor reiterated government’s decision to recover and complete Ossemotor Marine University in line with the 3R cardinal agenda policy of Governor Hope Uzodinma led Administration which anchors on reconstruction, recovery and rehabilitation.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for directing energy towards the completion of the project couple with the interest shown by the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Ihiagwa to take over the university for it’s school Marine Faculty and related departments.
Prince Okafor however commended the people of Ossemotor Community for donating such a huge land to the government and for their selfless will to protect the project against demolition even when the land compensation has not been fully settled.
He enjoined them to continue to keep faith with the state government while imbibing the spirit of ‘Onyeaghala Nwanneya’ , asserted that government is very determined to grow the economy of the state through development project in Imo oil producing communities
Okafor recounted the numerous economic projects the state government has done in Niger Delta region including provision of adequate security through the Naval Base Command which is presently undergoing budgetary process to relocate to their permanent site in Oguta.
The Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence commissioner used the occasion to warn against any conduct that would form a clog in the wheel of progress.
He also intimated land owners in the area of government prohibition on massive acquisition of land and laying of Oil pipelines along the Urashi Free Trade Zone.
The Commissioner charged them to leave the measure of 100 meters from the water surface to upland as government industrial mapped out area provision, to avoid distortion of the state master plan.
He advised them to obtain clearance from the state Ministry of Land, Survey and Urban Development and the state Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence before embarking on sales of vast area of lands.
According to Dr Okafor, Ossemotor Marine University is a project of Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) which he started when he was the Managing Director of the Commission years ago, thanked the new ISOPADEC director , Chief Austin Onyedebelu for his presence at the project site and his ingenuity to take stock of his assets and liabilities, which he described as apt and timely.
Responding to questions from newsmen, the Managing Director Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) , Chief Onyedebelu said government is a continuum and requires people with same vision to run with great ideas.
He described the state Marine University Ossemotor as a huge investment capable of attracting economic investors to the state.
Chief Onyedebelu noted that state government is bent in creating opportunities to better the lot of Imo citizens, adding that recovering and completing the Marine University would promote Agricultural ventures among other potentials which nature has endowed to Oguta area.
He assured that his Commission will make an official report on the project to government, affirming that maintaining the university will bring tremendous transformation.
