Nigeria’s sports minister, Sunday Akinlabi Dare has come out with a strong assurance that the federal government will no longer allow infrastructure of the sporting sector to lie waste, as he says concerted efforts will now be put into their all-round regular maintenance and upkeep, megasportsarena.com reports.
He stated as much while launching a task force set up to oversee rehabilitation of Lagos National Stadium, Surulere, with a charge to the members to ensure they midwife the process of turning round the attitude to maintenance of facilities in the country, which he admits has been poor.
This much was contained in a press release signed by the minster’s special adviser, media, John Joshua- Akanji, who also disclosed that terms of reference of the committee include to carry out audit of approved tenants and to verify details of tenancy agreement.
They are also expected to come up with list of all approved and unapproved physical structures in the facilities, cross check approved construction therein, list all squatters and their business, investigate staff of the Ministry who allow the presence of the squatters, carry out analysis of all revenue generated and take inventory of all shops and businesses within the stadium premises.
Joshua-Akanji added that the committee, which has 21 days to complete its task, is headed by the sports ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, with a total membership of 13 egg heads drawn from within the civil service and organized private sector.
Other members of the committee are Dr. Paul Oyido, Barrister Mohammed Danjuma, Mr Peter Nelson, Engineer Alanamu Abolore, Alhaji Bode Durotoye, Architect Abiodun Owoborode, Mr Benjamin Ukwuoma, Mr Adeolu Fasanya, Mr. Idris Olorunimbe and Abdulgafar Idris.
Speaking during his inauguration of the committee, Dare said they have a mandate to bring back lost glory to the edifice, adding: “The National Stadium, Lagos holds a lot of fond memories for our Sportsmen and other people. We shall no longer allow our infrastructures to lie waste.
“The Moshood Abiola, Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo National stadiums shall be put to best use. Abuja and Kaduna are at advanced stage, Lagos has approval for concession. Before the process is complete, we need to restore sanity to the place.
“So, the work of the task force is cut out. In the past , we had interlopers , now it is going to be fixed to serve our teeming youth. The task force will carry out its assignment according to the law of the land.”
Dare earlier stated on social media: “I inaugurated the Task Force on the verification of the businesses in the National Stadium Surulere. This is a first step towards the reopening of the stadium but also meant to restore some sanity to the stadium ahead of the concession…
“The Task Force which has 3 weeks to complete its assignment will screen all occupants and also identify all illegal structures within the Stadium. The screening and activities of the Task Force will be done in accordance with the rule and law and will be uncompromising…
“Government’s plan to fully concession the Surulere Stadium in a PPP arrangement is ongoing, even as the Ministry seeks to commence some renovation works. It is a sporting infrastructure built by the government and not a Mall or business premises.
“In January this year, the Ministry began the process of verification by issuing forms to all businesses within the stadium premises. D Task Force will afford them all to present necessary documentation as the Ministry commences the long journey to restore the Stadium.”
