The House of Representatives has moved to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the presentation of a committee report recommending the passage of a bill to create the specialised institution.

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 college.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the House Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, Hon. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, said the bill is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s blue economy by providing specialised education and technical training in fisheries technology, aquaculture and marine engineering.

He 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 Amadi, the proposed institution will address the shortage of skilled manpower in Nigeria’s maritime and fisheries sectors while expanding access to technical and vocational education in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta.

“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.

“By embedding technical training in fisheries management, aquaculture and marine engineering within a coastal riverine community, the bill aims to address local manpower deficits in the maritime sector, expand access to technical vocational education and stimulate economic development across the Niger Delta region,” he said.

The lawmaker disclosed that the committee conducted a public hearing on the bill on July 14, 2025, where maritime experts, education stakeholders and representatives from the region unanimously endorsed the proposal and recommended its passage.

He explained that the bill contains three clauses, with the substantive provision seeking to insert the proposed college into the Third Schedule of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act.

According to him, the amendment will grant the institution statutory recognition, enabling it to access federal funding and operate as a recognised federal specialised institution.

“The legal effect of inserting the institution into the Third Schedule provides the vital legal backing and statutory recognition needed for the college to become fully operational. It also empowers the institution to access federal funding streams and execute its specialised mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering,” he said.

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

Amadi expressed appreciation to the leadership of the House for the opportunity to undertake the assignment and urged lawmakers to adopt the committee’s recommendations and approve the bill.