Buhari Misled by Bureaucrats on Baro Port’s Non-Functionality, Says House Committee 

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationality of the Baro Inland Port said former President Muhammadu Buhari was misinformed by bureaucrats regarding the port’s functionality and readiness for operation.

Committee Chairman, Saidu Abdullahi, spoke during an inspection visit to the Baro Inland Port in Niger State’s Agaie Local Government Area.

He noted that despite Buhari’s previous visit, the late president was given incorrect information about the port’s status.

“President Buhari was here himself but was misguided by bureaucrats. Now, with technocrats present, we can collaboratively find solutions. Previous efforts failed because stakeholders were not brought together—something we have now achieved,” Abdullahi explained.

While commending the port’s equipment, the committee criticized the delayed completion of the access road, which has remained unfinished seven years after the contract was awarded.

“This is unacceptable for our country. Contracts should have clear timelines and proper project management. We will engage the Federal Ministry of Works to address the contractor’s delays,” he added.

Abdullahi dismissed claims that the visit was politically motivated, emphasizing that the committee’s goal is to identify and resolve obstacles preventing the port’s operation.

“After this assessment, we are better informed and will engage stakeholders to develop actionable solutions,” he stated.

Meanwhile, NIWA’s Business Manager, Adetola James, acknowledged that the port, commissioned in 2019, remains underutilized due to funding constraints.

He expressed hope that the committee’s intervention would expedite its functionality.

“All necessary port facilities are in place, but the access road remains a major challenge. Collaboration among agencies is crucial for full operationalization,” Adetola said.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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