AMJON conference: NPA examines infrastructure for maritime growth

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), will examine the Western and Eastern Ports facilities to acertain the state of infrastructure during the 7th edition of the Annual conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), scheduled to hold Thursday, this week, in Lagos.

It’s Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho earlier during his tour of the Lagos Ports announced an ambitious plan to increase container traffic from the current two million containers per year to over seven million, as part of a broader modernisation effort which according to o him would cost the Authority tens of millions of dollars.

The 2024 edition of the AMJON Annual Conference will focus on exploring Nigeria’s untapped Blue Economy, valued at an estimated $1.9 trillion.

With the theme “Nigeria’s Maritime/Blue Economy Industry Under the Renewed Hope Agenda: What is New”, the conference aims to ignite fresh national discussions on the implications of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry for Nigeria’s maritime future.

The event will feature the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, as the special guest of honor. The Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), who will also be inducted as a Patron of AMJON, will chair the conference.

Notable guests include the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and other key maritime industry leaders. Chief Tony Nwabunike, Patron of AMJON, along with other prominent stakeholders, will also attend to provide insights and support for the association’s objectives, including inducting the new Patron.

Outgoing AMJON President, Paul Ogbuokiri, emphasized that the event will serve as a platform for influential stakeholders to collaborate on advancing the maritime sector. He assured that the association is well-prepared for the event, which will focus on educating participants about the government’s efforts to unlock the potentials of the Blue Economy sector.

“The conference will inform stakeholders and investors about the opportunities available and the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investments that deliver significant returns,” Ogbuokiri stated.

The 2024 AMJON lecture will also feature the installation of patrons, awards to distinguished Nigerians, and the inauguration of the newly elected executives led by Mr. Kelvin Kagbare, who will steer the association for the next three years.