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The Federal government has disclosed its plans to partner with the Republic of Greece to train Nigerian youths in shipbuilding and fishing to deepen food security and employment generation in the Niger Delta region.
Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the representative of the Greece government in Nigeria stressing that the Ministry is committed to improving the standard of living of the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
“This initiative is commendable and will reduce militancy and crises of unemployment in the country”.
The Minister in a statement signed by DEWORITSHE Patricia, Director of Press, noted that the partnership will empower the youths in the Niger Delta Region, stop the illegal fishing on Nigerian shore and also give Nigerians the opportunity to explore the value chain in the fishing industry.
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Akpabio said that the host communities will be involved in the whole process to enable them own the project and provide the enabling environment for successful hosting of the dockyard.
“Most areas in the Niger Delta may not be good for fishing because of oil exploration however, the Maritime University in Okerenkoko , Delta state and the Maritime Academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State can be used as the training ground for the ship building progarmme”, he said.
To ensure that the whole process is domesticated, Senator Akpabio and the Minister of state, Festus Keyamo set up a 5-man committee to work out detailed modalities of the training programme adding that any nation that cannot feed itself is yet to start.
Patrick Osabase, Chairman, Concept Amadeus Limited, representing the Greece government said that the partnership program will create employment for the youths in the Niger Delta region and enhance their potentials in the fishing industry adding that Nigeria lost about $10 billion yearly to untapped resources in the fishing industry .
Cynthia Egboboh, Abuja.
