The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has said that the federal government remained unwavering in its determination to transform Baro port from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway.
He added that the ministry was working closely with the Federal Ministries of Works and Transportation to deliver an integrated framework that combines infrastructure, operational, operational efficiency and private sector participation.
He made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on stakeholders’ engagement on the challenges and prospects of the Baro River Port.
The minister revealed that concrete steps are being taken to overcome the existing challenges and unlock Baro Port’s full economic potential.
Oyetola noted that the Port has been struggling to operate at capacity since its commissioning in 2019 due to gaps in supporting infrastructure and navigability.
His words: “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.
“The challenges are there, no doubt about it. When the issue of the port was being conceived, ordinarily one would have expected that infrastructures 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’re 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 measures include improving river navigability through capital and continuous dredging, developing road and rail connections for seamless cargo movement, attracting credible private sector operators through concessions and partnerships, and instituting transparent governance systems.
The minister told the Committee that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) plans to dredge up to 2,000 kilometres of inland waterways, a move that would ensure Baro Port maintains the appropriate depth for year-round operations.
Oyetola added: “Our Ministry remains unwavering in its determination to transform Baro from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway.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.”
He pointed out that Baro River Port which is located in Niger State was strategically positioned to link agricultural value chains and serve as a feeder to Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri ports.
“Once operational, it could significantly boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ease pressure on the nation’s highways,” Oyetola said.
On his part, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, recalled that the Baro Port was first established in 1908 by Lord Lugard to facilitate the shipment of agricultural produce and livestock, serving as a major trade link between northern and southern Nigeria.
He noted that the port holds significant economic potential for the country, with all necessary facilities and equipment already in place.
He however identified the lack of dredging, as well as inadequate road and rail connectivity, as key challenges preventing the port from reaching full operational capacity.
Oyebamiji informed the committee that the project was awarded by the previous administration at a cost of ₦3.56 billion, of which ₦3.35 billion representing 94 percent has already been paid to the contractor.
He further added that arrangements are currently underway to concession the port to private operators in order to attract fresh investment and ensure its effective operationalisation.
Also speaking, Minister of Transportation Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali revealed that his ministry is developing a rail line to connect Baro Port with the rest of the country. He acknowledged funding as a major hurdle and appealed to lawmakers for adequate budgetary provisions to ensure the linkage is completed.
Earlier, the House Ad-Hoc Committee Chairman, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, underscored that the panel’s role is not investigative but facilitative, aimed at ensuring the full operationalization of the port.
He said the current engagement would be followed by a national stakeholders’ forum to build consensus and mobilise political, technical, and financial backing for the project.
Abdullahi stressed the committee’s determination to see Baro Port fully utilised, describing its strategic value to national trade, regional connectivity, and economic diversification as “immense and non-negotiable.”