The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of Baro Inland Port and the National Inland Waterways Authority were at the port for an on-the-spot assessment.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Sai’du Abdullahi (Bida/Gbako federal constituency), led members to the port on Saturday to engage stakeholders.

He explained that the committee’s visit was to assess the port’s facilities and identify challenges hindering its commencement.

Mr Abdullahi expressed satisfaction with the equipment but noted poor road and rail links.

“From our assessment, virtually all equipment needed for the take off of the port are on the ground except for access road and rail connectivity. It is quite unfortunate that a journey of 30 minutes has taken four hours due to a lack of access road,” he said.

The chairman noted that the contract for the access road was awarded nearly 10 years ago, and it has yet to be completed.

He stressed the importance of project management and timelines for contracts, noting that the committee would engage other stakeholders at the national assembly to address the challenges facing the port.

Bola Oyebamiji, the managing director of NIWA, described the visit as a welcome development.

Mr Oyebamiji, represented by James Adetola, general manager (business development), said the port inaugurated by Buhari in 2019 has been underutilised. He said NIWA is working to make the port operational and hopes the committee’s support will address funding challenges.

Mr Oyebamiji stated that the port required an access road and dredging to operate effectively.

“Everything that a port needs to work is on the ground, apart from the access road, and our channel always seals up, so we need to dredge,” he said.

Baro Port is situated along the River Niger and serves as a critical transportation hub for the country’s inland waterways and rail network.

(NAN)