President Buhari commissions N6bn Baro river port

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari over the weekend commissioned the Baro river port which was completed at a cost of N6bn by a Chinese firm, CGCC Global Project Nigeria Limited.

According to a statement signed over the weekend by the NIWA Spokesman, Tayo Fadile, President Buhari expressed personal attachment to the Baro river port because he assisted in the design of the port complex as Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

“The Baro port will enhance intermodal transportation connectivity in Nigeria. My administration will do more if re-elected into office, especially in the rehabilitation of roads leading into the port,” President Buhari stated.

Mr President added that the Baro port will reduce the pressure of big trucks on Nigerian roads and create huge employment opportunities for Nigerians. He also stated that the Baro river port will help to decongest similar ports in Nigeria.

Speaking also on the sideline of the river port commissioning, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi thanked the President for directing the completion of all abandoned projects, which Baro river port is one of such abandoned project.

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In his welcome remark, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sen. Olorunibe Mamora thanked Mr President for personally commissioning the Baro river port complex, and said the port was the first colonial port in the country. He also expressed joy that the project was finally completed under President Mohammadu Buhari administration.

Sen. Mamora added that the port is a veritable outlet that ensures transportation of goods, services and passengers in the country. He added that Baro port will facilitate socio-cultural relationships, commerce, trade and agricultural development.

The Baro river port, built by CGCC Global Project Nigeria Ltd at a total cost of N6bn, is equipped with a mobile harbour crane, transit shed, administrative block, fire hydrant system, water treatment plant, reach stacker, 100Kva power generating set and three numbers of forklift of various tonnage. Onitsha river port has already been rehabilitated while Oguta and Lokoja river ports are in their final stages of completion.