The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Umar Girei, recently visited two ceramic factories in Kogi State as part of efforts to enhance the ease of doing business in the area.
In a statement on Tuesday, the agency explained that the visit aims to explore ways NIWA can support the growth of the ceramic industry in the state, leveraging the state’s natural resources and using the inland waterways for transporting their finished goods. It added that the move also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the statement, Girei visited BNL Ceramic and was received by Mr Zhang Xin, who represented the managing director of the company and expressed the company’s readiness to partner with NIWA. Addressing the management of the company, Girei said the purpose of the visit is to learn about their activities, “challenges and how to partner with the company in the utilisation of the inland waterways in conveying raw materials and finished goods.”
The Acting MD also visited the West African Ceramic Company and was received by Mr Emmanuel Oreye, the representative of the Managing Director. While addressing the management of the company, Girei said, “The purpose of our visit was to seek partnership with the company, as NIWA is working hard to ensure the waterways are navigable all year round.”
Responding on behalf of the company, Mr Emmanuel Oreye appreciated Girei’s visit, adding that the company needs NIWA’s support in transporting their finished goods on the waterways. “The company has been using the waterways to transport raw materials, thereby reducing the cost of production compared to road transportation and other challenges,” he said.
Girei was named acting head of NIWA after Mr Bola Oyebamiji stepped down as the agency’s managing director.
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