Bayelsa Partners Firm on Boat Manufacturing Hub in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa Government has entered into a partnership with Continental Intertrade Ltd. to set up a boat manufacturing and maintenance hub in Yenagoa, the state capital.

 

The company's Managing Director, Prince Charles Folayan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

 

According to Folayan, the partnership, which was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to build local technical capacity in boat manufacturing, repairs and marine fabrication.

 

Folayan said the hub would double as a training centre, with at least 100 Bayelsa youths expected to be trained each year.

 

"The programme will focus on aluminium and fibreglass boat manufacturing, repairs, maintenance, safety standards and marine entrepreneurship.

 

"The initiative is expected to create employment opportunities while promoting indigenous participation in the marine logistics value chain supporting the oil and gas industry," he said.

 

He added that the project would support the blue economy, maritime safety, youth employment and Nigerian Content development.

 

The managing director also said relevant government agencies, as well as local and international partners, were willing to contribute to promoting and running the hub.

 

Bayelsa's Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Faith Zibs-Godwin, said the partnership was in line with Gov. Douye Diri's agenda of harnessing the state's marine and blue economy resources for the benefit of its people and for national development.

 

She urged Continental Intertrade to begin implementation immediately, saying Bayelsa remains open to investment.

 

The commissioner said the state government was taking steps to create an investment-friendly environment for businesses.