The Senate has passed, for a second reading, a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fishery and Aquatic Science in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

This followed the presentation of the bill’s general principles by the sponsor, Wadada Aliyu, at the plenary on Tuesday.

Presenting the bill, Mr Aliyu said it sought to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, 2004, to establish the Federal College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in Umaisha, in the Toto local government area of Nassarawa.

He said the bill would bolster the development of fisheries and the aquatic sector in Nigeria, enhancing food security, economic growth, and sustainable management of aquatic resources.

According to him, Nigeria, endowed with abundant aquatic resources and vast potential for fisheries and aquatic science development, is, however, facing various challenges.

He listed the challenges as including inadequate skilled manpower, outdated technology, limited research, and the absence of training institutions for the sector.

The legislator said establishing the institution would be a strategic intervention to address the challenges and harness the full potential of Nigeria’s aquatic resources.

He said the college should be mandated to provide high-quality education, research, and training in fisheries and aquatic sciences.

Mr Wadada said the college will collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, industry players, and international partners, to enhance its effectiveness and impact.

“The establishment of the college will contribute to the development of skilled manpower in the fisheries and aquatic sector, thereby addressing the current shortage of qualified personnel.

“The college will serve as a hub for research and innovation in fisheries and aquatic sciences, leading to the development of new technologies, practices and solutions to enhance productivity, sustainability and value addition in the sector.

“The college will support entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development in the fisheries and aquatic industries, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and national prosperity,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after the bill passed the second reading, referred it to the Committee on Agriculture for further legislative input and to report back to the plenary in two weeks.

(NAN)