BY Busola Aro
The federal government says it has commenced processes to concession Baro Port, Niger state.
The development is coming after the full concession of Onitsha Port.
In an interview with The Punch, George Muoghalu, managing director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said the Onitsha River Port had been successfully handed over to the concessionaires, Universal Elysium Consortium.
Muoghalu said pieces of machinery have been put in place for the concessions of Baro Port just like Onitsha Port.
The Onitsha Port concession was finalised after an agreement was signed between the federal government and Universal Elysium Consortium.
“We have gained a lot of experience but as to whether we have confidence in the process, we have. As to whether the expectation is high, the expectation is high and we are going to be guided and when you are doing this type of thing, you must do it properly in line with international best practice,” Muoghalu had said during the signing ceremony,” he said.
“The major emphasis is to be able to move consignments from Apapa and Tincan to Onitsha and other inland ports because as we are talking about this.
“We are also starting the process of concessioning the Baro, Lokoja River Port and Oguta Port which have been completed. But just like the roads, we have security challenges. We are going to be addressing the challenges as they come but we are not scared about it because it is not insurmountable.”
While giving an update on Onitsha Port, Muoghalu said the concession had been handed over since June 30, 2022, adding that the Bono port is the next focus.
“Onitsha Port has been concessioned, we have handed it over to winners, Universal Elysium Consortium with the Port of Antwerp, so they have taken over the port. It took place on June 30,” he said.
“So for now, it has not got to the time I will go for inspection but they are putting a whole lot of things in order. For Baro Port, we are setting the machinery in motion for the concession, it will be concessioned, having concluded Onitsha own.”
In August, Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, said the concession agreement for terminal operators at Nigerian seaports would be concluded soon.
The Baro Port is one of the four river ports in the country with others situated in Lokoja, Kogi State; Onitsha River port and Oguta in Imo state.
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