By Newspot Nigeria Editoria Desk
Following the viral opinion piece by Idris Muhammed Abdullahi on the neglected Baro Port, Newspot Nigeria reached out to Hajia Maryam Ciroma, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), for her perspective. Though no longer at the helm—and with several administrations having passed through NIWA since her tenure—Hajia Ciroma offers a sobering look back at what went wrong, and what still can be salvaged.
Newspot Nigeria: Hajia, you’ve seen the recent piece by Idris Abdullahi describing Baro Port as a “monument to waste.” How did it strike you, especially having once led NIWA?
Hajia Ciroma: It hit home. I’ve been away from NIWA for years now, and of course, other administrations have come and gone since my time. But the core issues Idris raised—those things were already on the table even then. We had high hopes for Baro. I visited it myself as MD. The project was completed—technically ready to go. What was missing, and what still is, is the larger support system that should’ve made it viable.
Newspot Nigeria: You’re referring to the River Niger dredging?
Hajia Ciroma: Exactly. You can’t build a port and abandon the river that’s supposed to feed it. Baro Port was never meant to function on its own. The Federal Government invested heavily in dredging the River Niger so goods could come all the way from the southern seaports up to Baro and other inland locations. That dredging was critical. But unfortunately, after the initial work, it was abandoned. Without continuous dredging and maintenance, everything around it—Baro included—becomes a stranded investment.
Newspot Nigeria: Looking back, what do you think went wrong?
Hajia Ciroma: I think it’s a mix of things. Lack of continuity in government planning is a big one. Baro was part of a long-term vision to decentralize cargo movement and relieve our roads. But the moment the spotlight moved away, the follow-through vanished. The port was completed, yes, but the river was left to silt. Logistics planning never matured. Budget allocations stalled. And NIWA, though it has a mandate, is not a standalone miracle worker. It depends on political support and inter-agency coordination.
Newspot Nigeria: Idris raised concerns that this kind of neglect keeps repeating, especially in the North. Do you share that sentiment?
Hajia Ciroma: I won’t speak for others, but what I know is this: a lot of projects in Northern Nigeria get started with big promises and then quietly fade. Whether that’s by design or dysfunction, I can’t say for sure. But it keeps happening. And in cases like Baro, it’s particularly painful because the North genuinely needs that kind of infrastructure. We’re talking about farmers, traders, transporters—all waiting for a port that’s just sitting idle.
Newspot Nigeria: Some say NIWA dropped the ball.
Hajia Ciroma: Every institution can do better, and NIWA is no exception. But again, NIWA alone doesn’t control the budget, customs, shipping policy, or river security. You need coordination across agencies and consistent political backing. When those things fall apart, ports like Baro suffer.
Newspot Nigeria: So what would it take to revive Baro Port today?
Hajia Ciroma: It’s not rocket science. First, go back to the River Niger and complete the dredging—and maintain it. Second, develop serious intermodal transport planning so goods can move from water to road or rail seamlessly. Third, bring in the private sector—don’t leave it all to government. And finally, stop treating every new administration like a reset button. We must finish what we start, regardless of who’s in office.
Newspot Nigeria: Do you believe Baro can still work?
Hajia Ciroma: Yes, I do. The structure is there. The location is strategic. The need is still very real. It may be quiet now, but with the right commitment, Baro Port can be revived—and it can still change lives.
Interview conducted by Newspot Nigeria Editorial Team
Hajia Maryam Ciroma is a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). She spoke from Abuja.
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