Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State has pledged that his administration would continue to support and partner with relevant stakeholders committed to capacity building in the maritime sector.

Speaking at an award presentation in Lagos to honour fifty living legends in Nigeria’s maritime industry, Gov. Sylva explained that as one of the few coastal states, Bayelsa State and Bayelsans have continued to play a critical role in the actualization of the country’s maritime policy.

He said since the inception of the current administration, hundreds of Bayelsans have benefitted from local and international training programmes which he said were geared towards harnessing the maritime potentials of the state.

Governor Sylva who was honoured with the prestigious award of “Most Maritime Friendly Governor” said the amnesty programme which he initiated had put paid to piracy, thereby making the water ways safe for maritime activities.

He pledged that his administration would cooperate with Maritime Media Limited, the organizers of the award, in the training of qualified Bayelsans to equip them for key leadership challenges in the sector.

The Governor who was represented by Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio his political adviser, appealed to the awardees to be good ambassadors of the industry and provide exemplary leadership.

The CEO of Maritime Media Ltd, Elder Asu Beks sought for collaboration in the drive to beef up the country’s fast depleting man power in the sector.

Speaking, he drew attention to a recently incorporated subsidiary of the company Shipping World Marine, which he explained was established with the objective of sponsoring an annual training and empowerment programme for ten indigenes of  the Niger Delta region in Ship Building and Repair, Ports Administration, Seamanship and Marine Engineering.