Nigeria is to acquire 100 fishing trawlers to support the fishing component of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme for which 2,500 people were being trained.
The initiative is also in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said.
The 100 fishing trawlers, he said, would be built in Burutu, Delta State, for the training programme which would provide employment for 2,500 of the beneficiaries.
Dokubo inaugurated an implementation committee comprising five subcommittees for the project under a National Development Programme through Industrial Fishing and Associated Seafood Production.
He expressed optimism that the training would open a vista of opportunities for beneficiaries of the programme, especially those interested in seafaring and fishing.
He said the project was in fulfilment of his vision to drive the reintegration component of the programme in such a way that it would positively impact on beneficiaries and communities in the Niger Delta.
“When this concept was brought to me, about the availability of training, retraining and employing our delegates, it was time-specific and fitted into what I’m doing for the Amnesty Programme. I am really overjoyed, and I believe that the commitment of this meeting today will move this concept forward,” Dokubo said.
According to the statement, the project, which is driven under a public-private partnership, has the Presidential Amnesty Office, Concept Amadeus Limited, Akewa Global Services Limited and four Greek companies as partners.
The foreign firms are Fintrilis S.A, Tel of Western Greece, Kreta Mare, and Theoman Limited.
