The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port Tuesday, invited the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, regarding anomalies in a multi-billion-naira inland port project.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, who issued the summons in Abuja, also directed NIWA to provide all relevant documents relating to the planning, construction, handover, and current state of the port, which was initiated to ease the pressure on seaports and open up inland waterway transportation.
He gave the ministry and NIWA seven days to submit all relevant documents, including contract papers, project scope, payment history, inspection reports, photographs, and any correspondence indicating the port was ever officially declared operational.
“We need everything, the full contract files, evaluation reports, evidence of what was done and what was not done. We are asking for all relevant documents as far as the Baro Port is concerned. We are not here to fight anybody. This committee is very serious with our job.
“The managing director and the minister are summoned to appear. The matter has been referred to this committee and we are going to do our work thoroughly. We want to know how much was paid to the contractor. We want the financial breakdown. Let’s stop playing games. Somebody must take responsibility for what is clearly a scandal,” he stated.
The chairman noted that the project cannot be allowed to waste away despite the billions already spent on it. “This is a very serious matter. We cannot allow a project that has gulped several billions of naira to go to waste. This House will not accept it. We have a responsibility to the Nigerian people to ensure that this kind of waste does not continue unchecked,” he added.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) attributed the continued non-operation of the multi-billion-naira Baro Inland Port to severe access limitations, siltation of the waterways, vandalized rail links, and security vulnerabilities, despite the project’s physical completion.
Speaking on behalf of the NIWA Managing Director during the meeting, General Manager, Ports and Environmental Services, Engr. Agbahe Fidelis said the facility, although commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained idle due to a combination of critical infrastructure deficits.
The committee also resolved to pay a follow-up visit to the Baro Port for further independent assessment and verification.
It demanded that agencies, such as the Ministry of Works and Nigeria Railway Corporation, that failed to show up for the meeting ensure they attend the next one.
