… Abia releases 1million euro to contractors
Abia State says in the course of modernising the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, it will demolish those shanties in the name of shops defacing the front and road leading to the stadium.
Chinwe Nwanganga, the state commissioner for sports, disclosed this at Enyimba Stadium while conducting newsmen around to assess the progress of work so far made in the modernisation of the stadium by the state government.
“It is the desire of the government that the most successful club in Nigeria comes back to its home base instead of using Calabar. It is sad that numerous Enyimba fans have been missing the club because using another place for their home matches. We know how central the stadium is and cannot be relocated elsewhere, that is why government wants to modify the stadium,” said Nwanganga.
The commissioner boasted that when on the stadium was completed it would one of the best 21st century stadia and regretted that state had lost a lot of revenue because Enyimba playing their home matches outside Aba.
Nwanganga also disclosed that contract for the construction of toilets had been awarded while plans to build multi storey car Park had been concluded.
“We should have Enyimba that is self-sustaining. Shops will be established where sports wares and facilities can be purchased” said the Commissioner.
Ebi E. Egbe, managing director/CEO, Moni Michelle Spots Facility Construction Limited, the contractor handling the renovation of the stadium while briefing newsmen on work so far done, said the little delay in the job was as a result of the economy leading to hike of prices of materials.
“We have completed survey. We are doing internal works to ensure that Enyimba returns to base,” he promised, and assured Abians that he would not disappoint in delivering the job very soon adding that materials for job would arrive in the next two weeks.
He hinted that state government had released 1 million euro (N500,000,000.00) to his organisation and promised that in eight weeks time the pitch would be ready.
“When Enyimba comes back home, Africans will appreciate the pitch. I am here to bring the best pitch not only in Abia but the whole Africa. The pitch will be like that of Man. City and Arsenal,” hee enthused.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
