The Bayelsa government has partnered with Continental Intertrade to establish a boat manufacturing and maintenance hub in Yenagoa. Continental Intertrade Ltd managing director Charles Folayan said this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Folayan said the partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, was designed to strengthen local technical capacity in boat manufacturing and marine fabrication. According to him, the hub will also serve as a training centre for youths, with at least 100 Bayelsa youths expected to receive training annually.

“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.

Mr Folayan said that the partnership focused on developing indigenous technical capacity in boat manufacturing, repairs and marine fabrication.

He said the initiative would support the blue economy, maritime safety, youth employment and Nigerian Content development.

He said relevant government agencies, as well as local and international partners, were willing to contribute to promoting and operating the hub.

Bayelsa’s commissioner for marine and blue economy, Faith Zibs-Godwin, said the partnership aligned with Governor Douye Diri’s agenda.

Ms Zibs-Godwin said the agenda was to harness the state’s marine and blue economy resources for the benefit of its people and national development.

She urged Continental Intertrade to commence implementation immediately, adding that Bayelsa remains open to investment.

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

(NAN)