The Federal and state legislators from Niger State have lamented that the Baro Inland Water Port in the state has not been operational 18 months after it was commissioned.
The contract, costing N6 billion, was designed in the 90s by PTF, contracts were awarded in 2009, re-awarded in 2013 and 2016. President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2019, commissioned the port amid high jubilation from the locals.
The lawmakers appealed to the Federal Government to ensure all components are completed and operational before 2023.
Senator Muhammad Bima Enagi, Niger South, who led other state legislators and council chairmen to the project site in Baro town, said there was need to re-dredge the Lower River Niger from Warri to Baro.
He also said the Lambata-Bida and Agaie-Katcha-Baro and Baro-Abaji roads that link the port must be promptly reconstructed, and that the rail line to Baro should be remodelled.
“We are calling on the federal government to include it on its list of projects funded through its Sovereign Wealth Fund,” he said.
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