Multimodal West Africa draws industry to Lagos in January

As the Nigerian government's plans to increase port and terminal activity creates great excitement within the sector, thousands of representatives from the transport and logistics industry will meet for the Multimodal West Africa exhibition and conference in Lagos from 24-26 January 2017.
Multimodal West Africa draws industry to Lagos in January
© Igor Groshev – 123RF.com

“In July 2016, the Minister of Aviation made a pronouncement that our ports are overwhelmed and as a result of that, they are creating dry ports for the different geopolitical zones,” says Oluremi Ajayi, general manager of freight forwarder, DSV.

She adds: “This will go a long way to strengthen our connecting modes of transports especially the rail system and also boost relationship within and outside African countries through the Ecowas Trade Liberalization Scheme.”

Big leap

Samuel Jeffson, Director at St. John Freight Systems agrees: “We...are equally excited as we closely monitor some interesting developments ahead with investments coming in from global conglomerates like AP Moller in the upcoming Badagry port facility and also the setting up of Lekki Deep Sea port by AfDB and a consortium of private investors and banks. With these additional facilities coming up, it will increase the port and terminal throughput activities by multiple folds.

“Presently we see that the Nigerian economy is ready to take a big leap but its port infrastructure unfortunately does not support the vision and forms a major bottleneck. We believe with the new facilities coming up, the port and terminal industry landscape will totally change.”

Jennifer Ijeoma Anoyika, Director General of the Nigerian-German Business Association, says, “There are numerous expectations by the logistics sector, the business community and the general public, to see a great deal of obvious and measurable economic impacts and benefits resulting from the proposed port and terminal activity expansion. With appropriate investments and implementations in the right aspects, the plan should yield positive direct and indirect effects. We hope to see economic, technical, infrastructural and organisational development.”

Industry support

DSV and St John are both already confirmed to exhibit at the upcoming Multimodal West Africa transport and logistics exhibition and conference, which will offer a unique platform to showcase the latest supply chain solutions and equipment to decision makers from leading cargo owners, importers and exporters.

Some of the 2500 cargo owners, shippers, major importers and exporters already registered to attend include West African Cotton Company, Zaika Foods Ltd, Pharmatex, GSK, De United Foods Industries Limited, Frigo Glass and DN Meyer. More than 80 exhibitors are expected, including freight forwarders, ship owners, shipping lines, ports & terminal operators as well as official government bodies.

Multimodal West Africa dates and venue:
Exhibition and conference: 24-26 January 2017
Venue: Landmark Centre, Lagos, Nigeria

For more information visit: www.multimodalwestafrica.com

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