The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State
The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The bill scaled third reading on Thursday following the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, presented by its Chairman, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, during plenary.
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.
Presenting the committee’s report, Rep. Amadi recalled that the House debated the general principles of the bill on May 7, 2025, before referring it to the committee for further legislative action.
He said the committee conducted a public hearing on July 14, 2025, where stakeholders from the maritime, education and regional development sectors unanimously supported the proposal.
According to him, the institution is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy by producing skilled manpower in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine engineering while promoting technical and vocational education in the Niger Delta.
“The proposed legislation seeks to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The primary objective of the bill is to provide a statutory framework for the creation of a specialised tertiary institution focused on bolstering Nigeria’s blue economy,” Rep. Amadi said.
He added that the college would help address the shortage of skilled professionals in the maritime sector while stimulating economic development in coastal communities across the Niger Delta.
The committee chairman explained that the bill comprises three clauses, with the key provision amending the Third Schedule of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act to include the proposed institution among existing federal colleges.
According to him, the amendment would confer statutory recognition on the college, enabling it to access federal funding and fully implement its mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering.
Following consideration of the committee’s recommendations, the House adopted the report and passed the bill.
