Stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy have started making moves to revive the annual Nigeria Maritime Exposition International Exhibition and Conference (NIMAREX).
For years and for reasons not made public by the organisers, the annual exposition has not taken place just as other annual exhibitions have sprung up thereby relegating it to the background.
In a bid to resuscitate it and attain the purpose for which it was initiated by maritime stakeholders over a decade ago, the organisers have started holding meetings in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos.
At the meeting which took place at one of the five star hotels in the Lagos State capital, Ikeja keys issues that will drive the resuscitation of NIMAREX were top on the agenda as participants brain storm on the way for forward.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting, the President, Nigeria Ship owners Association of Nigeria (NISAN) and convener, NIMAREX 2024, Otunba Sola Adewunmi in his welcome address called for government/private partnership, synergy and collaboration of all stakeholders to bring back the annual exposition and exhibition which he described as Africa’s biggest maritime event.
His words: “As we embark on this new chapter, it is crucial that we all recognise NIMAREX as our event. It is a true umbrella that brings together all maritime associations, fostering unity and cooperation across the entire industry. This is not just an event for NISA. It is an event for every stakeholder in the maritime sector. Together, we can make NIMAREX a rallying point where our shared interests are promoted, our challenges are addressed, and our future is shaped.
“I am also mindful that the success of NIMAREX depends on the active involvement and contributions of every association and stakeholder present here today. Therefore, I extend an open invitation for your suggestions and ideas on how we can collectively plan and execute this event in a manner that truly reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of our maritime community. Your insights and collaboration are invaluable as we work together to make NIMAREX an event that we can all be proud of”.
On his part, the Chairman Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Mr. Bolaji Sunmola enjoined stakeholders at the meeting to ensure that 2024 edition of NIMAREX gets the attention and commitment of all stakeholders and is in line with the key objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
In the same vein, other attendees at the meeting want NIMAREX 2024 to be a great opportunity to provide a viable structure and framework that will promote business and engineer development in the industry.
They called for the setting up of various committees amongst stakeholders to organise and ensure the success of the conference. The Federal Government has also been advised to ensure implementation of decisions taken at NIMAREX 2024.
According to the participants at the meeting, effective implementation of decisions taken at NIMAREX would ensure foreign and local networking, foreign direct investments (FDI) and fast track development in the maritime sector.
Those who attended the meeting include representatives of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) and NPCC.
Others are representatives from the media, seafarers, Nigeria Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Nigeria Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Maritime Bits checks revealed that until recently, NIMAREX was the umbrella event and unifying voice for all stakeholders and shipping operators in Nigeria.
It is an annual event that attracts both local and international operators to showcase products, new technologies, services, networking and real business opportunities in the maritime sector.
