NIWA abandons N3.5bn Baro Port six months after PMB’s Commissioning

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has abandoned the Baro Port six months after it was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Recall that PMB had some days to the general election commissioned the N3.5billion Baro river port, Niger state.

But, since the project was commissioned, the port has been abandoned due to bad road leading to the river port.

But, the MD, NIWA, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora said the port would begin full operation before the end of the year.

The Baro river port in Niger state which was completed and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari is not functional because the road leading to the port is inaccessible.
Federal government has awarded the Baro river port in 2011/12  at a cost of N2,563,499,248.00 by the Federal Executive Council to a Chinese company, Messrs CGGC Global Project but despite the huge amount expended on the project, it is yet to be put into proper use several years after completion.

The access road leading to the River Port from the Gegu express way in Kogi State is not motorable and needed urgent rehabilitation by the Federal Government if the project is to be of any economic value.

Baro River Port is considered as the flagship port of the Northern part of the country.
Mamora who said event though the road leading to the river port is in a state of disrepair, the federal government has awarded it and the authority is waiting for the award to be backed with requisite fund.

“What happened to Onitsha river port, we don’t want it to happen to Baro.  Also, it’s a process, we appoint transaction adviser and advertise and since it’s a process and it doesn’t come fast which was why we had the delay.

When asked about the bad state of the road, the minister designate said, “Yes, the roads are bad, the road to the place especially a large portion of it is lying on the flood plain so you can imagine what it looks like during the raining season.
“Even why working on the completion of Baro, we have to do some remedial work on the road so that we could transport the heavy duty equipment to the port and we could do that then because it was dry season so what am getting is that it is getting the attention of the ministry of works.
“The contract has been awarded but the only issue remaining is for it to be backed with cash so it will get fixed.”

He also disclosed that the state of the road is a concern but cargoes can be evacuated with badges and  not the road alone.
“Yes, it’s a concern that is being addressed but I can assure you that it’s not and cannot be abandoned because why put in so much money and then abandoned but just due process and issue of the road which is being addressed are stalling it.”
Giving assurance on the Baro port, the MD said, “Baro port can be fully functional this year. That is possible, dont forget that evacuation of the cargoes can not be by the road alone, it can also be done by the water so it depend on where you want to take the goods to and as soon as the necessary things are done, we can fast track it for as long as we don’t compromise the due process.”