Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has assured sports lovers of its determination to ensure the speedy completion of rehabilitation work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
The newly appointed Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu, gave the assurance after an on-the-spot inspection of the rehabilitation work in the stadium.
He said that the state government wanted to develop all sports but will prioritise the rehabilitation of the stadium to enable Enugu Rangers return to their home for NPFL matches.
Recall that the past administration paid N185 million for the rehabilitation of the stadium in 2021 but could not complete the rehabilitation.
The Commissioner took the tour in company of the Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Youths and Security, Mr Reymond Ngwu and other sports administrators in the state.
Ekweremadu, who vowed to ensure the progress of sports and youth development in the state, said that the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah is not only interested in football but general development of sports in the state.
“The maiden inspection tour of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was to determine the state of the stadium, we have seen the facility and state of repair in certain aspects of the stadium.
“Today we have assessed the whole place and seen that there is work to be done in the stadium so we will go back with our team and deliberate on the actual work to be done.
“From the dressing rooms to the seats around the stadium, bathrooms, roofing, in fact, we found out that there was some vandalisation in some aspects particularly the flood light and armoured cables.
“The government of Gov. Mbah is committed to the rehabilitation of sports facilities in Enugu State and Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is our flag off facility to be rehabilitated,” he said.
He also said, a building bearing the name of “Zik of Africa” does not need to be in a state of disrepair, so the governor wants this place to be properly repaired and be in use.
“Enugu Rangers International is not supposed to be playing their home matches outside this stadium considering what they represent.
Speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Sports, Youths Development and Security, Hon. Reymond Ngwu, assured the commissioner of his readiness to ensure speedy rehabilitation of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and sports development.
“We have taken a total tour of the stadium and you can see, myself and commissioner have a cordial relationship and that is why both of us are here.
“If what we need to do is to pass a bill or move a motion to make the government start work in earnest, I must not hesitate to do that.
“We are all working to actualise the dream of the state government for the citizens,” he said.
