Deplorable access road threatens $3.5bn Baro River port

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6 years ago

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has revealed that recently, some journalists who were on a fact finding mission to the Baro River port cojld not access the port due to the deplorable nature of the access road.

According to a statement signed recently by the NIWA Spokesman, Tayo Fadile, “The access road leading to the River Port from the Gegu express way in Kogi State is not motorable and need urgent rehabilitation if the project is to be of any economic value to the Nation.

“The construction of Baro River Port in Niger State has been completed two years ago and if put into use it will create more than two thousand jobs for the teaming youths and it will also boost the economy of the State and the Nation.”

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In an interview with the Managing Director of First Index Nigeria Limited, Mr. Opeyemi Olabanji, the Contractor handling the installation of the Cargo handling equipment at the River Port, explained that they are going through serious challenges because of the deplorable condition of the access road, they cannot move their cranes and other cargoes to the port, he confirmed to us that the cargo handling equipment are very heavy and the trucks carrying the equipment cannot pass through the bad road. He is hoping the Federal Government will see the need to urgently fix the road in the interest of the Nation.

He however, commended the NIWA for the palliative measures they are putting to make sure the equipment arrives at the River Port but emphasised the need for a lasting solution to the deplorable condition of the road.

Baro River Port which is considered as the flagship port of the Northern part of the country cannot function as it is now. So much funds have been invested in the Baro River Port project running into 3.5billion Naira. It is embarrassing that the port still remains unused, simply because the major road leading to the port is impassable.

The Baro River Port has been completed for two years running now and the River port itself has continue to deteriorate due to lack of use of the port complex.