The House of Representatives has passed a bill to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The bill was approved during Thursday’s plenary after lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, presented by the committee’s chairman, Hon. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi.
Amadi explained that the proposed institution is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills in fisheries management, aquaculture and marine engineering to meet the growing demands of the country’s maritime sector.
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He recalled that the bill passed its second reading on May 7, 2025, before it was referred to the committee for further review. According to him, a public hearing held on July 14, 2025, attracted stakeholders from the maritime, education and regional development sectors, who expressed support for the proposal.
The lawmaker said the college would help address the shortage of skilled professionals in the fisheries and marine industries, improve access to technical and vocational education, and create more opportunities for economic growth, particularly in the Niger Delta.
The bill also seeks to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act to provide the legal backing for the establishment of the specialised institution in the riverine community of Ngo, Rivers State.
