TheCable

The Nigerian Ports Authority will host the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Africa regional conference at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, between September 17 and September 19, 2018.

The association, with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1955 as a global professional group for seaports operators across the world.

Ugo Madubuike, chairman of the organising committee, said the conference would have key experts and stakeholders in attendance.

“The IAPH Africa conference, which will be declared open by the vice president, Federal Republic of Nigeria, will assemble key experts and stakeholders in the port logistics and transport industry to provide a deeper understanding of the concept of port hinterland connectivity, assess the present landscape of Africa’s port sector and the challenges faced in hinterland connectivity, discuss the experiences of port hinterland connectivity in other parts of the world compared to Africa, explore possible critical solutions, and recommend best home-grown models that would enable Africa to improve on its port hinterland connectivity and intraregional trade,” the statement read.

“The conference theme will be discussed under four different categories namely: connectivity and port hinterland; funding options for hinterland connectivity; Africa’s ports landscapes, sustainability and facilitation of the logistics and transport supply chain.”

According to Madubuike, it will also attract local participation from Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors, international participation from key organizations like the World Trade Organization, the International Maritime Organization and various African trade corridors.