The acting Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Girei, has said the authority plans to support the growth of the ceramic industry in Kogi State.

Mr Girei said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said this when he visited the two ceramic factories in Kogi State in line with the authority’s effort to enhance ease of doing business in the state.

He stated, “The visit is aimed at exploring ways NIWA can support the growth of the ceramic industry in Kogi State, leveraging the state’s natural resources and using the inland waterways in transporting their finished goods.”

Addressing management of the company, Mr Gerei said the purpose of the visit was to know 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.

Mr Gerei, who first visited BNL Ceramic was received by Zhang Xin, representing the company’s managing director and expressed the company’s readiness to partner with NIWA.

The acting managing director who also visited the West African Ceramic Company said NIWA was working hard to ensure the waterways were navigable all-year round.

He was received by Emmanuel Oreye, the representative of the Managing Director, of the West African Ceramic Company.

Responding on behalf of the company, Mr Oreye appreciated Mr Girei for the visit.

He said the company needed NIWA’s support in transporting their finished goods on the waterways.

He stated, “The company has been using the waterways in transporting raw materials thereby reducing the cost of production compared to road transportation and other challenges.”

Some Management staff members who accompanied Mr Girei were Muazu Dan’Azumi GM (RPS), Dakio Horsfall GM (Marine), Naziru Biyankare GM (Legal), Fidelis Ejike GM (Engineering), Muhammed Dangana GM (Special Duties), Abubakar Danladi  (Head Finance) and DCP Shuaibu Audu (Commander Inland Waterways Police Command). 

(NAN)