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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been called upon to accelerate the establishment of the proposed Maritime Skills Acquisition Centre in Bayelsa State to promote sustainable blue tourism and create employment opportunities for coastal communities.
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The Chairman of the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta (BRACED) Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, appealed to NIMASA’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, to ensure the project becomes a reality, citing its potential to revolutionise the South-South region’s economy.
Speaking recently in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Kiyaramo emphasised the facility’s critical role in fostering eco-friendly tourism, cultural preservation and community engagement in Bayelsa, which boasts an extensive maritime heritage.
He described the initiative as “cutting-edge,” capable of driving socio-economic growth in the BRACED region.
“This facility would empower local youths with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the blue economy, addressing unemployment while fostering sustainable economic development,” Kiyaramo stated.
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He noted that the project aligns with NIMASA’s broader commitment to introducing educational and vocational programmes for coastal communities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Kiyaramo also commended the Executive Chairman of Abade-Toru Mangal Community Development Initiative, George Wilcox, for his relentless advocacy, including engaging the National Assembly to hold NIMASA accountable for prioritising the centre’s development.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Kiyaramo, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, said the proposed centre would unlock Bayelsa’s maritime potential, stimulate economic growth and position the South-South region as a global tourism destination.
“The oceans, the heartbeat of the blue economy, hold immense opportunities to address economic challenges. This skills acquisition centre will serve as a cornerstone for harnessing those opportunities while promoting sustainable practices,” he added.
Kiyaramo, who has championed tourism development in the South-South region, aiming to position it as a global bloc destination, reiterated that the maritime centre would position Bayelsa state as a hub for blue tourism in Nigeria.
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