By John Dike, Osogbo
Marine and Blue Economy minister, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, has been summoned by the House of Representatives over the stalled multi-billion-naira inland port project.
Also summoned with him is the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji
Oyetola was also the immediate former governor of Osun State on the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress, while Oyebamiji is an aspirant under the same party in the state’s coming governorship election.
The House’s Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port issued the summons on Tuesday through its Chairman, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, during a session at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The two are to explain why the inland port commissioned in 2019, and intended to ease pressure on Nigeria’s seaports—remains dormant.
They were given seven days to appear and submit all relevant documents, including contract agreements, project scope, financial records, inspection reports, photographs, and any correspondence indicating that the port was ever officially declared operational.
Abdullahi said, “We want everything — the full contract files, evaluation reports, evidence of what was done and what wasn’t.
“This committee will not tolerate excuses. The Nigerian people deserve to know what happened to their money”.
He described the situation as “a national scandal,” noting that billions of naira had already been invested in the project, which has yet to show any sign of functionality.
“This is not a witch-hunt. It is about accountability. Somebody must take responsibility. We cannot continue to waste public funds on projects that end up abandoned or non-operational,” he added.
Committee members raised serious concerns about the absence of cargo movement, lack of road access, and general inactivity at the port despite the official commissioning.
In defence, NIWA blamed the delay on a combination of critical infrastructure deficits, including inaccessible roads, silted waterways, vandalised rail lines, and prevailing security challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the NIWA Managing Director, the General Manager of Ports and Environmental Services, Agbahe Fidelis, explained that while the physical construction of the port was completed, the lack of supporting logistics infrastructure had stalled operations.
Undeterred, the committee resolved to visit the Baro Port, located in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State, for an independent verification and assessment of the facility’s current condition.
“We owe it to the public to ensure that this kind of waste does not go unchecked. Baro Port must either work or those responsible must be held accountable,” Abdullahi stressed.
