Baro Port: NASS Lauds NIWA Boss
…Demands Exposure of Corrupt Officials. Behind Project
By Kabir Akintayo
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port on Tuesday commended the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, for his proactive approach in tackling the challenges hindering the port’s operations.
The committee, however, tasked Oyebamiji with revealing the identities of those who previously handled the project, which was commissioned in 2019 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari but has remained inaccessible.
Oyebamiji appeared before the committee alongside the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to submit all relevant documents relating to the planning, construction, handover, and current state of the facility, conceived to decongest seaports and boost inland waterway transportation.
“We want you to set up a committee to evaluate the work done by the previous handlers of the Baro Port. There is a need to expose those who deceived Nigerians into believing the project was a done deal. Let us know exactly what we are dealing with,” Committee Chairman Saidu Abdullahi declared.
Abdullahi praised Oyebamiji’s “remarkable achievements and transformational strides” in NIWA, as well as his professional handling of the sensitive issues surrounding the Baro Port. He urged relevant agencies and major stakeholders present to collaborate with NIWA by producing concrete recommendations, including a budget framework, to ensure the port becomes operational.
Speaking during the hearing, Oyebamiji identified funding as the major obstacle to the port’s operationalisation.
“To us, we have already done the evaluation. There is a need to dredge 2,000 meters of waterways, which requires significant funding. NIWA’s total budget cannot accommodate the operationalisation of the port alone.
“We also need to provide adequate security in and around the port and fast-track the Public Private Partnership (PPP) process, even though there is a concession agreement currently with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). There is also an urgent need to construct three access roads to the Baro Port,” he said.
Other stakeholders invited included the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkhali; Permanent Secretary of the Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola; NEXIM Bank MD, Abubakar Bello; Nigeria Railway Corporation MD, Dr. Kayode Opeifa; Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olumide Olugbode; and Bureau of Public Enterprises representative, Michael Bolaji.
The hearing sought lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Baro Port, commissioned six years ago during Buhari’s administration.
The committee pledged to play an active role in sourcing funds for the project and urged all relevant bodies to harmonise their efforts. It also fixed a date for members and stakeholders to visit the site to determine the final steps required for the port’s full operationalisation.