” Thumps up for BEBME for attitudinal change towards made in Nigeria goods.
The motoring Nigerians have been advised to explore water transportation in order to reduce carnages , potholes and gullies, insecurity resulting from kidnapping and armed robbery on the nation’s highways.
The Assistant General Manager, Engineering Services, National Inland waterways Authority, Engineer Adejoh made the remark at the NIWA day of 5th Edition of a 3 day Built Environment and Building Materials Exhibition held in Lokoja .
Engineer Adejoh noted that the water ways has been proved to be safer, cheaper and economic and environmental friendly as it has the capacity to haulage heavy duty goods than road transportation.
He said that the rampant incidence of highway collapses that has made the nation’s roads a death trap would be a thing of the past if Nigerians would embrace paradigm shift from road transportation preference to water ways mode of transportation.
Engineer Adejoh who stood in for the managing Director of National Waterways Authority NIWA Mr George Moghalu said the synergy between the Authority and the ceramics industry in kogi state has been beneficial as it has succeeded in moving thousand of tons of ceramic products to the places of demand within the coastal areas.
He said , the Authority had to take out a day at the Exhibition to showcase the advantages derivable from patronising water transportation, explained that there are lots of opportunities opened to bulk movement of goods through the waters by transporters.
He maintained that water transportation is cheaper, secure and environmentally friendly compared to road transport, urging Nigerians especially those dealing on bulk goods to migrate to water transportation.
He stated that NIWA is satisfied with the organisers of the BEBM exhibition which is in her 5th edition that it has sustainably positioned locally made goods in the hearts and minds of Nigerians, and challenge government at all levels and corporate organisations to tap into the window created by NIWA to move heavy duty cargoes across the country.
According to him , the exhibition is an eye opener to some people who are yet to grasp the opportunity to leverage on the powers of home made goods , saying BEBM’s advocacy over the years is making progress with attitudinal change of Nigerians to Nigeria made goods
He added that , NIWA with its mandate on water transportation has over the years provided safer and cheaper mode of transportation, saying most of the companies involved in bulk haulage have been optimising the opportunity which is boosting the economic performance of their businesses.
He advised those companies yet to be captured in the water transportation net to do so , as it will bring them more profits as a result of reduced transportation cost
According to Engineer Adejoh, the major challenge is for the private sector especially manufacturers of heavy duty products to tap into NIWA services which are aimed at providing affordable and alternative mode of transportation.
” We are glad with the activities of Ceramic companies at Ajaokuta who have been making use of our services. They have openly agreed that their synergy with NIWA has greatly and positively affected their operations.
” Water transportation is cheaper, safer, and environmentally friendly that will greatly reduce incident of potholes, gullies on the highways, as kidnapping and armed robbery on the roads would be a thing of the past if Nigerians decide to embrace Water transportation especially movement of bulky goods.
” I can tell you authoritatively that a cargo in a barge is equivalent to 33 trailer loads. A barge can carry at least a thousand tons of cargo, making it a relatively cheaper and economic friendly mode of transportation.” He informed
While calling on Nigerians to have a change of mindsets to water transportation assured of their safety on Waterways as all necessary security and logistical supports are in place to making their voyage a worthwhile.
