Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — The Bayelsa State Government is considering the establishment of a maritime academy and a ship wreck recycling plant, a development it says will create job and training opportunities in the State.
Disclosing this in Lagos on Monday, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said that by virtue of the activities of oil and gas companies in the state, there is a sizeable number of ship wreckages on the state’s waterways.
Diri also said that these wreckages have caused most accidents on the waters in the state.
He also disclosed that the state was in the process of establishing a maritime academy with a view to giving young Bayelsans training opportunities in the maritime sector.
He said: ”There are lots of wreckages in our waterways particularly with the oil companies operating around the waters of Bayelsa and we are aware that you have done so well in ensuring that these marine wreckages are removed across the country.
“May I invite you to Bayelsa to create a healthier marine eco-system so to speak, most of these wreckages by ensuring that most of these wreckages which have caused some accidents particularly at night and others that are yet to be identified are removed from the our waters.
“I will invite you to partner with our state in terms of training, you have done again so well in terms of training of our youths, most of our youths are there, willing and able to be trained.
“The Bayelsa State government is the in process of establishing a maritime academy, that process has started before I assume office and I am prepared to continue with the process of having a maritime academy and I believe that the wealth of this country, the wealth of Bayelsa State in the maritime domain.
“Therefore, I invite you to also partner with the State Government in the establishment of the academy which I believe will also add to the few maritime academies in Oron and the one in Delta State.’’