The event is being organised by ACE Event Management from the United Kingdom and seeks to create a platform for over 70 international companies to exhibit their products and services for prospective clients – ranging from local government, industry, agriculture, NGOs, and other key players in the West Africa region.
The exhibition also aims at exposing civil engineers in West Africa to new practices and technology being used in the construction industry.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Water Resource, Works and Housing, Alban S.K. Bagbin, said it is the policy of government to encourage and promote the use of locally manufactured goods and materials in the industry.
He noted that the exhibition will provide tremendous opportunities for investment in the water and sanitation sector; in areas such as infrastructure development, transmission and distribution network.
Bagbin explained that although some efforts have been made over the last 10 years in the water and sanitation sector, there is need to strongly increase investment in the construction of sustainable water facilities to be able to realise the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Yet investment in housing supply, development and access, generates a high multiplier effect to the wider macroeconomic and social system,” he added.
He disclosed that his ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology is implementing a five-year Action Plan to increase the current 20 percent use of local materials in the building industry to 60 percent.