As part of its ongoing efforts to diversify Bayelsa's economic base away from oil and gas, the state's government has sent 50 local workers on an intensive eight-week training course in Lagos.

The second batch of trainees to attend the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research in Lagos, the group expressed their gratitude to the state government for allowing them to embark on the training course.

Vanguard reports that the programme manager of the state Agricultural Development Programme Francis Alagoa reminded the cadets of the need to represent Bayelsa well and commit to the training module, as their success would dictate future investment in training.

The institute was established in 1975 and holds responsibility for carrying out environmental assessments of the country's coastal waters, as well cataloguing the abundance, variety and distribution of marine life.

It also provides data sets for the government, researchers and students to promote a greater understanding of the country's marine resources.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development