…Says Gathering Will Showcase Potential Of Nigeria Inland Waterways

…500 Participants Expected At The Event

The Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Lagos,  Engr. Muazu Sambo   has stated that international,local experts on Marine, stakeholders and potential investors  would converge at the second edition of this year’s  International Conference and Exhibition(ICE) scheduled for July 25,2017 in Lagos.

He disclosed this while speaking with journalists at a pre-ICE briefing at the agency’s Lagos office today.

The event, with the theme, “Improving Navigationability and Inland Port Development” is coming barely three years after the first edition was held in 2014.

Sambo, who was flanked by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr ‘Tayo Fadile and Marine, Engr. Olusegun Balogun  at the briefing, hinted that NIWA has lined up several activities for the event, adding that about 500 participants are expected to participate in the International Confernce and Exhibition(ICE).

On the essence of ICE, Sambo stated that one of the benefits is that it would create awareness about the activities of NIWA as the ‘landlord and regulator of the waterways in the country.

He also said that it would create opportunity for investors to invest in the maritime sub-sector, showcase the potential in the Nigeria’s inland waterways and provide opportunity to learn from countries that have developed their waterways.

Speaking further, the NIWA Area Manager added that the conference will create opportunity for experts,stakeholders, investors and NIWA personnel to network and also share ideas  and experiences as it concerns maritime transport.

On the international speaker from Serbia; Mr Srda Ljesevic, who will be speaking at the August gathering, Sambo informed that the expert is the Head of Centre for Port Operation of Serbia Port Governance Agency.

Ljesevic , according to NIWA Area Manager,is reponsible for managing the inland ports in Serbia, adding that he will bring to bear the Europe experience at the conference.

The tittled of Ljesevic paper  according to Sambo is “Imperative of Enhancing Navigation and Inland Port Operations “

He also stated that Otunba Kunle Folarin,a marine expert would deliver a paper tittled, “Deriving the Benefits of Investments In Coastal and Inland Shipping Operations on Nigeria Waterways.”

Sambo said said that the conference has four components, which according to him are v: technical presentation,book launch; a compendium of NIWA activities in 2014.

The book , which according to Sambo was sponsored by the Nasaraw State Government would  be launched by the Minister for Transportation,RT. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi ,who is also the guest of honour.

Other components  are : the uneveiling of the equipment NIWA procured from United States for cleaning waterways called Aquatic Weed Harvesters and Gala Night .

He stated that the Harvester would work in synergy with other NIWA equipment , adding that the agency has three Water Hycinth Cutter known technically as Aquatic Vegetable Cutter(AVC)101.

The Gala Night , the Area Manger said is the fourth component, which is  organised to ‘spoil’ the participants after the event  and that awards would also be given to both individuals and orgnaisations that have been supporting NIWA all these years.

On the exhibition, the Area Manager ,said that maritime organisationns would showcase their equipment such as dredging  equipment, tell participants what  they are doing  in oil and gas among others.