Reps move to establish Federal College of Fisheries Technology in Rivers

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Ocean and Fisheries has recommended the passage of a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Presenting the committee’s report to the House, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, said the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide the legal framework for the establishment of the specialised institution.

Amadi recalled that the House had, on May 7, 2025, concluded debate on the general principles of the bill before referring it to the committee for further legislative action.

According to him, the proposed college is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s blue economy by providing specialised training in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine engineering.

He explained that locating the institution in the riverine community of Ngo would help address the shortage of skilled manpower in the maritime sector, expand access to technical and vocational education, and stimulate economic development across the Niger Delta.

The committee chairman disclosed that a public hearing on the bill was held on July 14, 2025, during which stakeholders from the maritime, education and regional development sectors expressed overwhelming support for the proposal.

He said participants unanimously endorsed the bill and urged its passage, describing it as a strategic intervention that would enhance capacity building and drive sustainable growth in Nigeria’s coastal communities.

Amadi further explained that the bill contains three clauses, with the first two providing the legal basis for amending the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act.

He noted that the third clause is the substantive provision of the legislation, as it inserts the proposed Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering into the Third Schedule of the principal Act alongside other federal institutions.

According to him, the inclusion of the college in the schedule would confer statutory recognition on the institution, enabling it to access federal funding and fully discharge its mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering.

Following its review, the committee retained all the clauses of the bill without amendment and recommended that the House consider and pass the legislation as presented.

The post Reps move to establish Federal College of Fisheries Technology in Rivers appeared first on Vanguard News.