Amid recent speculations and media reports alleging that a multibillion-naira contract had been awarded for the Baro Inland Port project, the Federal Government has firmly denied the claims, calling them unfounded and misleading. The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through its Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, clarified in a statement released Sunday that no such contract has been awarded under the leadership of Minister Adegboyega Oyetola.
Dr. Akinola stressed that the Baro Port project is not new and predates the current administration. “The project was conceived, planned, and executed under past administrations. Minister Oyetola has not awarded any contract concerning Baro Port,” he said.
This clarification comes in response to reports suggesting that the Ministry had entered into new agreements for the development of Baro Inland Port, located in Niger State. The project, officially commissioned in 2019 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained largely idle due to a lack of supporting infrastructure such as access roads, rail connectivity, and logistical systems.
Dismissing reports of a National Assembly summons, Dr. Akinola clarified that the Minister was merely invited to a stakeholder engagement session by the Ad-hoc Committee on National Stakeholders Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro Inland Port. “This was a routine consultation, not a summons or probe. It was aimed at fostering dialogue and reassessing the feasibility and potential of the project,” he said.
According to Akinola, the engagement reflects the ministry’s openness to collaboration, transparency, and accountability in all of its operations. “Minister Oyetola remains committed to responsible governance and the sustainable development of Nigeria’s inland waterways. Every naira must be justifiably spent, and we are focused on infrastructure audits, not duplicating prior efforts,” he added.
Baro Port was initially envisioned as a strategic logistics hub to boost inland water transportation, reduce pressure on road freight, and promote trade within the northern corridor of Nigeria. However, the project has faced significant setbacks, largely due to underinvestment in complementary infrastructure.
Though structurally completed, Baro Port lacks rail and road linkages critical to its function as a multimodal transport node. Industry experts argue that without a complete ecosystem, the facility risks becoming a white elephant project.
According to a 2023 report by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), over ₦20 billion had already been spent on the Baro project as of 2022, yet its contribution to trade remains negligible. NIWA’s assessment further noted that comprehensive transport planning, involving other key ministries and private sector players, would be essential to breathe life into the project.
The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy confirmed that its current priority is the evaluation and rehabilitation of underperforming infrastructure across the nation’s inland ports. “We are focusing on what exists, how to make it better, and identifying priority areas for long-term investment,” Akinola stated.
He also urged the media and public to seek verified information from official sources before circulating claims that could distort public perception or distract from developmental objectives. “We encourage responsible journalism that supports national growth, not sensationalism that sows confusion,” he concluded.