Nigerian Reps Investigate Baro Inland Port Concession
The Nigerian House of Representatives has established an ad-hoc committee to investigate the concession agreement for the Baro Inland Port in Niger State. The committee aims to determine why the port, despite being commissioned, is still not operational.
The committee's chairman, Saidu Abdullahi, has summoned the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, to appear before them. They have been asked to provide clarification and relevant documents, including contract papers, project scope, payment history, and inspection reports, within seven days to clarify the port's status.
A NIWA representative stated that the facility, commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been dormant due to a lack of critical infrastructure, such as proper dredging of the access channel, rail connectivity to Minna, and adequate access roads. The committee has emphasized that its goal is to find concrete solutions to make the port fully functional, rather than conducting a "witch-hunt." The investigation is focused on ensuring accountability and understanding the fate of the funds invested.
