Ministry Denies Award of Multibillion-Naira Baro Port Contract as Misinformation

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has firmly denied reports alleging that Minister Adegboyega Oyetola awarded a multibillion-naira contract for the Baro Inland Port project, describing the claims as false, misleading, and entirely baseless.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, clarified that no such contract has been awarded under the current administration. He noted that the Baro Port project predates Oyetola’s tenure and should not be linked to any new contractual commitments by the ministry.

“No multibillion-naira contract has been awarded by Adegboyega Oyetola in connection with the Baro Port project,” Akinola stated. “The project is not new. It was conceived, planned, and initiated under previous administrations.”

Located in Niger State, the Baro Inland Port was officially commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the port has remained largely non-functional due to the absence of vital infrastructure, including road and rail access needed to support its operations.

Akinola emphasized that while the project is of national interest, the current administration has not initiated any fresh contract processes. “Our focus remains on assessing existing infrastructure and developing a sustainable roadmap, not duplicating past efforts,” he said.

Refuting claims that Oyetola had been summoned or investigated by the National Assembly over the port project, Akinola explained that the minister was merely invited to participate in a stakeholders’ engagement session convened by the House Ad-hoc Committee on National Stakeholders Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro Inland Port.

He described the session as a platform for dialogue and project evaluation, not a probe, and said the ministry was duly represented at the engagement, reaffirming its willingness to collaborate across all levels of government.

“We view stakeholder engagements as an essential part of policy formulation and project evaluation,” Akinola said. “The Ministry’s participation reflects our ongoing commitment to accountability, intergovernmental cooperation, and national development.”

He further stressed that Minister Oyetola remains committed to driving sustainable growth in the maritime and inland waterway sectors, ensuring transparency and prudence in all financial decisions.

“We urge the public and media to verify information through the appropriate channels and avoid disseminating unfounded narratives that could derail ongoing efforts toward national infrastructure development,” the statement concluded.