BREAKING: N6bn Baro River Port Rots 6 Years After Commissioning – FG Moves to Revive, Niger State Plans 284sqkm Smart Port City N6bn Port, Zero Cargo – What It Means For Abuja Importers By Okwo Romeon |Abuja | Nigeria Anchorage www.nigeriaanchorage.blogspot.com – Oct 13, 2026 – DEVELOPING


⚠️ DEVELOPING STORY – BARO RIVER PORT – NIGER STATE – Oct 13, 2026

Fig: Baro River Port – N6bn facility dormant 6 years – 284sqkm Smart Port City planned – Map: Niger State – Infographic: Nigeria Anchorage / Okwo Romeon
DEVELOPING: Despite N6 billion invested and commissioning in January 2019 by former President Buhari, the Baro River Port in Agaie LGA, Niger State – just 120km from Abuja – remains dormant, with rusted cranes, empty docks and zero cargo activity six years after.
THE N6BN DORMANT PORT
Baro River Port was first established by Lord Lugard in 1908 for agricultural produce evacuation. Modern port contract cost N3.56bn (N3.35bn paid, 94% complete). Facilities include Mobile Harbour Crane, Reach stacker, 100KVA generator, forklifts – All installed but idle.
NIWA MD Bola Oyebamiji told House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee that port faces navigability challenges – River Niger silted – No road, no rail.
FG MOVES TO REVIVE – Oct 2026 Update
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, told House Committee chaired by Hon Saidu Abdullahi (Bida/Katcha/Gbako) that FG will:
- Capital and continuous dredging of River Niger – 2,000km inland waterways to be dredged
- Develop 53km Agaie-Katcha-Baro road (abandoned 13 years) and rail linkage
- Concession to private operator with transparent governance
“Our Ministry remains unwavering in its determination to transform Baro from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway,” Oyetola said.
NIGER STATE BIG PLAN – BARO SMART PORT CITY – 284SQKM
In a major twist, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has redesigned Baro as Baro Smart Port City – Biggest real estate JV in North.
Nigeria Anchorage confirms – 19 days ago, SSG Alhaji Abubakar Usman received Project Coordinator Arc Mustapha Zubairu in Minna – CAC registration certificate presented.
Scope:
- 284 sq km – 9 districts: Marina, waterfront, industrial, power, residential, urban agriculture
- 300,000 modern housing units
- 40,000 plots earmarked as annex to FCT Abuja
- High-speed electric intercity train Baro-Minna
- Youth development centre
WHAT IT MEANS FOR ABUJA IMPORTERS
Current: Lagos Apapa to Abuja 1,200km by road – 40ft N2.8m-N3.5m – 10-14 days
Future via Baro: Lagos to Baro by barge, Baro to Abuja 120km – N800k-N1.2m – Save 70% – 48 hours – No Apapa gridlock
Baro will link to Dala Dry Port Kano and Kaduna Inland Dry Port – Creating Northern maritime corridor for AfCFTA.
NIGERIA ANCHORAGE ANALYSIS: Baro is missing link for Northern Nigeria trade. But FG must deliver road and dredging – Niger State Smart City needs sovereign guarantee.
Follow www.nigeriaanchorage.blogspot.com for hourly NPA Live Tracker.
By Okwo Romeon – Investigative Maritime Reporter – ABUJA 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nigeria’s Public Health Crossroads: From Innovation to Action By Okwo Romeon

Image
Nigeria’s public health sector is at a critical crossroads: technology, emerging diseases and shifting health threats are reshaping the way care is delivered, while persistent inequalities continue to expose millions of people to preventable risks. Participants been recognised at the occasion  That was the central message at the 37th National Conference of the Professional Association of Public Health Nurses of Nigeria (PAPHNON) and the 6th Joint Conference of the Society for Public Health Professionals of Nigeria (SPHPN), held in Abuja under the theme, “Public Health in a Changing World.” The conference brought together public health nurses, physicians, researchers, academics, policymakers, development partners and other professionals to examine how Nigeria can build a stronger, more resilient and equitable health system. At the heart of the discussions was a simple but demanding proposition: innovation must translate into better health outcomes for ordinary Nigerians. “
Read more

2027 Nasarawa Elections: Youth Leader Nasiru Isah Calls for Issue-Based Voting and Peaceful Participation

Image
As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 primary and general elections in Nasarawa State, a youth activist, Comrade Nasiru Isah, has called on citizens to prioritize competence, integrity, and genuine representation in choosing their leaders. In a message addressed to the people of the state, the Ado Youth Chairman from Karu Local Government Area emphasized that the forthcoming elections present a critical opportunity to shape the future of communities across Nasarawa. He noted that beyond electing a president, voters will also decide on key positions including governor, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and the State House of Assembly—leaders who will directly influence governance and development. Comrade Nasiru Isah Ado youths leader. Comrade Isah stressed that voting should transcend political sentiments and personal loyalties, urging citizens to focus instead on candidates with the capacity to deliver meaningful progress. According to him, the role of government...
Read more

“EL-RUFAI CAN’T BE CAGED!” — Young Kaduna Politician Sparks Buzz at ADC Convention By Okwo Romeon Abuja

Image
   “Youth Must Take Over Now!” — Aspirant Ahmad Aminu Declares Bold Ambition A rising political figure in Kaduna State, Engineer Ahmad Aminu—popularly known as “Vertical”—has stirred attention with strong remarks about his political mentor, Nasir El-Rufai, during the just-concluded convention of the African Democratic Congress in Abuja. Engineer Ahmad Aminu (AkA) Vertical  State Assembly Aspirant from Kaduna state . Speaking passionately, Aminu described El-Rufai as an unstoppable force in Nigerian politics, insisting that no effort can silence or sideline the former governor. “As long as politics is concerned in Kaduna and Nigeria, Mallam El-Rufai cannot be caged,” he declared. “He may not be physically here, but his spirit is with us.”  “He’s Our Father!” — Loyalty to El-Rufai Runs Deep Aminu emphasized unwavering loyalty among Kaduna ADC members, portraying El-Rufai as a guiding figure whose influence remains strong despite current political distractions....
Read more