The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port on Tuesday has summoned the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, to appear before it to clarify issues surrounding the multi-billion-naira inland port project.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Saidu Abdullahi, issued the summons during a session in Abuja, mandating NIWA to provide all relevant documents relating to the planning, construction, handover, and current state of the port, which he said was conceived to ease the pressure on seaports and open up inland waterway transportation.
The panel gave the minister and NIWA seven days to submit all relevant documents, including contract papers, project scope, payment history, inspection reports, photographs, and any correspondence showing that 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 about its 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 a scandal.
“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,” the Niger lawmaker said.
Members of the Committee raised concern over why a port reported to have been completed and handed over remains non-operational, particularly as there has been no evidence of cargo movement or accessibility via road.
The Committee agreed to go beyond oral assurances and ascertain the state of the port in the interest of the nation.
“This is not about a witch-hunt. It’s about accountability. The people deserve to know what happened to their money,” Abdullahi added.
Responding, NIWA blamed the development on severe access limitations, siltation of the waterways, vandalised 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, 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 port, located in the Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State, for an independent assessment and verification.
The PUNCH
