“Nigeria’s $3.56 Billion Baro Inland Port Set for Revival After Years of Idleness – FG
By Urube Peter, Abuja
The Federal Government has pledged to revive the Baro Inland Port in Niger State, a project that has remained idle since its commissioning in 2019 due to infrastructure and logistical challenges. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, assured the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro River Port that the government is committed to transforming the port into a thriving inland gateway.
The minister highlighted the Challenges Hindering Port Operations to the ad-hoc committee as included; Inadequate infrastructure, particularly poor road and rail link,
” Navigability issues along the River Niger,
Funding shortfalls.
The honourable minister of marine and blue economy, Oyetola informed the committee on Government’s Plan to Overcome Challenges by way of Improve river navigability through capital and continuous dredging, with NIWA planning to dredge up to 2,000 kilometers of inland waterway.
Also to develop road and rail connections for seamless cargo movement,
“Attract credible private sector operators through concessions and partnerships,
“Institute transparent governance systems.
The minister explained the Strategic Importance of Baro Port is that it’s,
- Located in Niger State, the port can link agricultural value chains and serve as a feeder to major ports like Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri
- 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 reiterated.
The House Committee Chairman, Saidu Abdullahi, emphasized 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”.
Rep Saidu said, “the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro River Port is working closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the port’s full operationalization, recognizing its immense value to national trade, regional connectivity, and economic diversification as “immense and non-negotiable”.
He assured that on the spot assessment visit to the port is planned to further assess the situation and push for its operationalization
