Five years after its commissioning, the multi-billion naira Baro Port remains dormant, prompting calls from stakeholders for President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action to bring the port to life.
Chairman of Agaie Local Government area in Niger State, Sayuti Halilu Ibrahim, urged President Tinubu to make history by transforming Baro Port into a functioning economic hub.
He said, “This is the time to resuscitate the lost glory; it is about the people and growing the economy. President Tinubu should make history by making Baro a reality. As a strategic port in the northern part of the country, we are hopeful that Tinubu will actualize it”.
Highlighting the need to complete the access road from Agaie to Baro through Katcha, Ibrahim noted that the port’s activation would not only have economic benefits but also boost tourism in the region.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Emir of Agaie, Yusuf Nuhu, expressed concern over the delayed operation of the port. “When it was commissioned, we thought it would take off immediately. The access road is crucial for moving goods from Baro to the hinterland and connecting to ports in Lagos and Port Harcourt,” he said.
The Emir emphasized the port’s historical importance to the North and Nigeria, recalling its role during the colonial era when it facilitated the transportation of groundnut, cotton, and other goods from the North to other regions. “Although the port has not yet become operational, we remain hopeful. The ongoing work on the road from Agaie to Baro through Katcha is a key factor, and I believe it will be completed”, he added.
Both leaders have called on President Tinubu to prioritize the Baro Port project and ensure its completion, stressing its potential to significantly impact the economy and restore the port’s historical significance.
