The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port has summoned the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, over alleged anomalies surrounding the multi-billion-naira project.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, issued the summons during a session held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He also directed NIWA to submit all relevant documents relating to the planning, construction, handover, and current state of the port, originally initiated to reduce pressure on the nation’s seaports and promote inland waterway transport.

The committee gave NIWA and the ministry a seven-day deadline to produce contract papers, project scope, payment records, inspection reports, photographs, and any official documents declaring the port operational.

“We need everything — full contract files, evaluation reports, and evidence of execution. We are not here to witch-hunt anyone, but we must get to the bottom of this. The Managing Director and the Minister are summoned to appear. We want a full financial breakdown. Someone must take responsibility for what appears to be a scandal,” Abdullahi said.

He expressed strong concerns over the possibility of the project becoming another abandoned venture, despite the billions of naira already invested.

“This is a very serious matter. The House will not sit by while a project of this magnitude is wasted. We owe Nigerians the duty to ensure that such wasteful spending ends,” he added.

Lawmakers at the session voiced disappointment over inconsistencies in reports regarding the port’s completion and operational status. They questioned why a facility claimed to be completed and handed over remains idle, with no evidence of cargo movement or road access.

The committee resolved to rely on verifiable documents rather than oral assurances to determine the true state of the project. They insisted that the Baro Port, which was meant to decongest seaports and enable inland cargo transportation, must deliver value commensurate with the public funds spent.

“This is not about a witch-hunt. It’s about accountability. The people deserve to know what happened to their money,” a member said.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) attributed the continued non-operation of the multi-billion-naira Baro Inland Port to severe access limitations, siltation of the waterways, vandalised rail links, and security vulnerabilities, despite the project’s physical completion.

Speaking on behalf of the NIWA Managing Director during the meeting, General Manager, Ports and Environmental Services, Agbahe Fidelis, said the facility, although commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained idle due to a combination of critical infrastructure deficits.

The committee also resolved to pay a follow-up visit to the Baro Port for further independent assessment and verification.

It demanded that agencies, such as the Ministry of Works and the Nigeria Railway Corporation, that failed to show up for the meeting, must ensure they attend the next one. (The Nation)

• Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)