The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port had chided the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for commissioning the port which is yet to take off despite the huge investment in the project.
This is just as the Committee said the commissioning was done “On paper” by the Buhari-led government in 2019.
A former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase remarked on Sunday when the Committee led by its Chairman, Saidu Abdullahi, paid a courtesy visit to the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
The Plateau lawmaker stated that the committee’s visit to the port exposed the sorry state of the project.
“What we saw is a project that was merely commissioned on paper.
“It is unfortunate what has happened in the past, but as leaders, we must take responsibility to change the narrative,” Wase said.
He described Baro Port as a “Gateway to Nigeria’s economy” and recalled its historic significance, having been established by colonial authorities and reinforced by former President, Umaru Yar’Adua.
He assured that the committee, backed by the Speaker of the House, was determined to revive the project and ensure its completion, adding that equitable distribution of infrastructure across the country was a constitutional duty.
“By the time we ensure fairness in infrastructure development, nobody will care where the president comes from.
“What matters is that every region benefits,” he said.
He commended Bago for his commitment to agriculture and infrastructure, describing him as a leader with the courage and vision to support the project.
He likened the governor’s resolve to the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, urging him to seize the opportunity to “Write his name in gold.”
He added that the Committee will work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and other relevant stakeholders to address outstanding challenges, including dredging and navigation corridors needed to make the port operational.
“There will be a lot of work, but no delay will stop the utilisation of this very viable project.
“By the grace of God, we will deliver,” he assured.
Responding, Bago called for urgent attention to the Port, describing it as a national project that holds the key to easing the heavy burden on Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
“Since I became governor, we have been working towards the realisation of the Baro Port project.
“This is not a Niger State project, and not even a northern project. It is a Nigerian project,” Bago said.
The governor expressed concern over the gridlock in Bida caused by heavy trailers, stressing that billions are spent annually on repairing federal highways damaged by overloaded trucks.
According to him, the revival of Baro Port alongside Nigeria’s railway network would reduce road pressure and promote more sustainable cargo movement.
“Everywhere in the world, locomotive lines move goods for the people.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria is the only country I know that abandoned its railways,” he lamented.
He pledged the readiness of the Niger State government to support the Ad-hoc committee to ensure the revival of the project.
“We will work closely with your committee and other committees of the National Assembly to ensure Niger State benefits.
“The Baro project is iconic, and this visit gives us renewed hope,” Bago added.
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee lamented that a trip that should ordinarily take half an hour now stretches into four gruelling hours because of the failed portions of the road leading to the Port.
“The state of the roads is a major hindrance to the full operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port.
“What should be a 30-minute journey now takes over four hours.
“This is unacceptable for a facility of this magnitude, which is supposed to serve as a hub for trade and industrial growth,” Abdullahi said.
