NIWA Holds International Conference And Exhibition In Lagos

The much-talked about international conference and exhibition being organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) comes up in Lagos from 12 to 14 August,2014.
According to NIWA’s general manager public relations; Mr Tayo Fadile, the idea behind the event is to bring relevant stakeholders together both locally and internationally to brainstorm and examine critically how the nations,s inland waterways infrastructure including vessels can be improved upon.

The much-talked about international conference and exhibition being organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) comes up in Lagos from 12 to 14 August,2014.
According to NIWA’s general manager public relations; Mr Tayo Fadile, the idea behind the event is to bring relevant stakeholders together both locally and internationally to brainstorm and examine critically how the nations,s inland waterways infrastructure including vessels can be improved upon.
The theme of the conference is 'Modernising Inland waterways infrastructure and Vessels for safe and sustainable inland water transportation”, and it is expected to draw experts from the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) . Similarly, several inland waterways operators including boat operators, marine and dredging companies, ferry services operators, and oil and gas firms have confirmed participation at the conference, while several states with inland waterways activities are also billed to participate.
The conference and exhibition is expected to showcase development in the inland waterways sub sector.
President Goodluck Jonathan is expected as the special guest of honour, senator Idris Umar is the chief host,while the managing director of NIWA Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma will be the host.
It will be recalled NIWA has organised several awareness and safety campaigns in various parts of the country including Niger, Ondo and Lagos states.
NIWA has also in recent times donated more than 1000 life jackets across the country. the MD of NIWA has also organised a stake holders conference on the adoption of the inland waterways transportation code at Uyo ,Akwa Ibom state.
The recommendation of the stakeholders at the conference is being forwarded to the minister of transport for necessary approval
The NIWA Managing Director, said the programme was born out of the need to bring to the knowledge of the local and international community the business potential of the dredged River Niger.
She said that the government had pumped a lot of money into dredging the River Niger and it was only fit to have it put to a profitable use.
She said, “The idea is to bring relevant stakeholders together both locally and internationally to brainstorm and examine critically how the nation’s inland waterways infrastructure including vessels can be improved upon. Experts from the international maritime organisation will be part of the conference.
“Several inland waterways operators including marine and dredging companies, ferry services operators and oil and gas firms have confirmed participation at the conference while several states with inland waterways activities are also billed to participate at the conference.”