By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has said that the Federal government was committed to make Baro River Port in Niger state a vibrant inland gateway.He gave the assurance on Tuesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Challenges and Prospects of the Baro River Port.

The Adhoc committee was constituted after the adoption of a motion on the need to convene a national stakeholder’s engagement on the challenges and prospects of the Inland Port. Oyetola acknowledged that the Port has been struggling to operate at capacity since its commissioning in 2019 due to gaps in supporting infrastructure and navigability.The minister however outlined concrete steps to overcome the existing challenges and unlock Baro Port’s full economic potential.According to him, the measures include improving river navigability through capital and continuous dredging, developing road and rail connections for seamless cargo movement, attracting credible private sector operators through concessions and partnerships, and instituting transparent governance systems.He informed the Committee that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) plans to dredge up to 2,000 kilometres of inland waterways, a move that will ensure Baro Port maintains the appropriate depth for year-round operations.He added, “Our Ministry remains unwavering in its determination to transform Baro from a dormant facility into a thriving inland gateway.We are working closely with the Federal Ministries of Works and Transportation to deliver an integrated framework that combines infrastructure, operational efficiency, and private sector participation.”Oyetola noted that, Baro River Port which is located in Niger State is strategically positioned to link agricultural value chains and serve as a feeder to Onitsha, Lokoja, and Warri ports. According to him, once operational, it could significantly boost Nigeria’s trade competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ease pressure on the nation’s highways.In his presentation, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, recalled that the Baro Port was first established in 1908 by Lord Lugard to facilitate the shipment of agricultural produce and livestock, serving as a major trade link between northern and southern Nigeria.He noted that the port holds significant economic potential for the country, with all necessary facilities and equipment already in place.He however identified the lack of dredging, as well as inadequate road and rail connectivity, as key challenges preventing the port from reaching full operational capacity.Oyebamiji informed the committee that the project was awarded by the previous administration at a cost of N3.56 billion, of which N3.35 billion representing 94 percent has already been paid to the contractor.He further added that arrangements are currently underway to concession the port to private operators in order to attract fresh investment and ensure its effective operationalization.Minister of Transportation Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali revealed that his ministry is developing a rail line to connect Baro Port with the rest of the country. He acknowledged funding as a major hurdle and appealed to lawmakers for adequate budgetary provisions to ensure the linkage is completed.Speaking earlier, the House Ad-Hoc Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, underscored that the panel’s role is not investigative but facilitative, aimed at ensuring the full operationalization of the port. He disclosed that the current engagement will be followed by a national stakeholders’ forum to build consensus and mobilise political, technical, and financial backing for the project.Abdullahi stressed the committee’s determination to see Baro Port fully utilised, describing its strategic value to national trade, regional connectivity, and economic diversification as “immense and non-negotiable.”The Minister while responding to a question by a member of the Committee, Hon Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi said that Baro Port has been a priority, but there has been lack of funds to dredge to make it navigable early enough.After the various submissions by the Ministers and other heads of agencies, the Committee resolved that it will embark on an on the spot assessment to the Port on Saturday in order to see what would be done to make its operations a reality.

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday demanded that the country must invest more in the Young Population.The Speaker, in stressing his position, reminded that the young people constituted a huge chunk of the population.

This was conveyed in his message to commemorate the International Youth Day. The Speaker said that with the youthful population being the majority, the government at all levels must prioritise policies and programmes tailored towards young Nigerians. He called for more access to quality and affordable education, while seeking skill acquisition and empowerment of the youth. This, he noted, should be considered as an investment in the future of the country.Abbas particularly urged the various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to invest more in talent hunts, entrepreneurship, and sports, stressing that this move will shield the youth from crime and other vices.While urging the youth to be patriotic and law-abiding citizens, the Speaker called on the religious and cultural institutions to continue to mould young Nigerians towards virtues, and against vices.He emphasised the need for the teeming young population to be morally upright, hardworking, disciplined, and dedicated in their endeavours.A statement through Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, said that Speaker Abbas wished young Nigerians a happy Youth Day celebration.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Civil Service Commission yesterday revealed that 915 workers, mostly at directorate cadre, have been cleared for a Computer-Based Promotion examination.The Commission said that the participants, drawn from the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) Secondary Education Board (SEB) Education Secretariat and other Departments and Agencies, would have to prove their qualification for the next level through the examination.

Chairman of the Commission, Emeka Eze noted that the computer based examination was introduced to ensure that those who would move to substantive positions as directors, are well qualified to face modern technology-driven challenges associated with the work.Eze also disclosed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who created the Commission with the approval of President Bola Tinubu, wanted to resolve the backlog of promotions that has been pending for many years.While he revealed that the verification exercise to determine the workforce of the FCT was yet to be completed, he also disclosed that the commission encountered too many falsification of age in the service records.According to him, workers who were caught in the web age falsification were asked to retire from the service.Representative of South-East in the Commission, Martins Azubuike stated that participants who fail to scale through in the exams will have no one to blame for remaining in their position.Azubuike also disclosed that the Computer based tests have come to stay in the system, and it remains a measure that will encourage workers to update their digital skills.