Ondo State Sports Complex Contract: Commissioner, SWAN Disagree Over Spate Of Work

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) has frowned at the abandonment of renovation project of the Ondo State Sports Complex, which houses Akure stadium.

The association, at the end of its monthly meeting in Akure, noted that the state government awarded the contract three months ago and nothing meaningful has been done at site.

The delay, the association said has  made economic activities to be totally grounded within and around the sport complex.

The association called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to visit the Sports Complex and see the next line of action, as future champions are not having access to facilities to train, especially with his promise to build a new stadium, the old one should be maintained.

Reacting in a statement to the observations of the SWAN, Ondo state commissioner for sports and youth development, Saka Yusuf stated that the association’s stand may not be a true position of things as regard the contract.

The commissioner’s statement reads “I write to correct some insinuations and to state some clear facts having read a communique issued by your noble Association today.

“Please, be reminded that the executive Governor of Ondo state, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has approved the renovation of the sports complex and its football pitch and the contractor has since been mobilized.

“Be informed that the contractor has since moved to site with the construction work ongoing at the hockey pitch where the old synthetic surface at the football pitch will be used.

“The contractor has started work since his mobilisation, removing the old surface for the hockey pitch and ready to lay a new one having been procured.

“The executive Governor,  a man of his words,  is committed to sports development in our dear sunshine state.

“As a reputable stakeholder, SWAN is expected to complement efforts of the Ministry of youth Development and sports and work in tandem to achieve together.

“Again, the door of my Ministry is opened for your association to seek relevant information so you can be abreast of government policies and programmes in sports development.”