Oyetola says Baro port facing infrastructure challenges, vows to revive it

Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, says the Baro port in Niger state will be revived from dormancy into a bustling hub of activity.

The minister spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee on the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the Baro inland port.

The committee summoned Oyetola and Munirudeen Oyebamiji, managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), over the Baro port project in Niger state, which it described as a “scandal”.

Oyetola said the port has struggled to operate at full capacity since its 2019 inauguration due to infrastructure challenges.

“Although commissioned in 2019 under the past administration, the port has faced operational constraints, chief among them, the absence of critical linkages to road and rail infrastructure, and navigability challenges along the River Niger,” Oyetola said.

“The challenges are there, no doubt about it. When the issue of the port was being conceived, ordinarily, one would have expected that infrastructure that would make it operational should have been provided.

“The ministry was created barely two years ago, so we inherited it from the previous administration.

“And part of what we are trying to do is to ensure the need to do a lot of dredging. Unfortunately, we are hampered by the scarcity of funds.”

Oyetola said the government will take measures to transform the port from dormant to a hive of activity.

“Our ministry remains unwavering in its determination to transform Baro from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway,” he said.

“We are working closely with the federal ministries of works and transportation to deliver an integrated framework that combines infrastructure, operational efficiency, and private sector participation.”

The minister said NIWA plans to dredge up to 2,000 kilometres of inland waterways to give the port the needed depth for operations.

He highlighted the port’s strategic location, saying it can serve as a conduit for Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri ports.

The minister said that when it becomes fully operational, the ports will enhance Nigeria’s trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said plans are in progress to concession the port to attract investment.

Sa’idu Alkali, minister of transportation, identified that funding is a major challenge to the port’s operation.

Saidu Abdullahi, chairman of the committee, said the panel will make an oversight visit to the port.