Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been called upon to establish a craft centre in the state to train youths in local boat building to reduce unemployment.
A renowned local boat builder in the state, Mr Eyoh Effiong from Oro community in Akwa Ibom stated this in an interview with The Tide the back of University of Science and Technology at his workplace, (UST) Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Effiong who described the act of building local boats as a lucrative business, said that men and women patronise his craft.
The boat building noted that, establishing a craft centre to train youths on the skill would to some extent curb criminality and empower them with good employment.
Effiong who is the Managing Director of Obinna construction Company, said he specialised in building both hand pulling boats and engine boats.
The boat builder also decried the activities of hoodlums at the waterside who cart away his wares and extort money from him always.
Effiong told The Tide that, few days ago, hoodlums carted away four of his canoes and collected his hard earn money from him.
He appealled to the security agents, especially, the marine police to beef up security around the waterside to secure their safety.
The Managing Director who said they are always losing their money and valuables, called on the state government to intervene in their plight and safe lives.

Chinedu Wosu