The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday in Abuja promised that the National Stadium in Lagos would be given a facelift.
Dalung gave the assurance at a news conference while receiving the drawings of the new concept for the stadium.
He said: “We are here to receive drawings of the new concept of the National Stadium in Lagos.
“When we assumed responsibility, our determination was to invest our energies more on trying to complete all uncompleted projects.
“At the end of our tenure, if that is what we are able to achieve, we will want posterity to ascribe that to us.
“I have vowed not to contribute to increasing the catalogue of abandoned projects.
“We are not interested in making names in abandoned projects, but will want to be remembered for giving our modest contributions to complete those projects that were abandoned.”
The Sports Minister noted that the stadium was very critical to the country’s sports development, adding: “No country can maintain its image in the face of neglect.
“Therefore, we are here to try to rewrite history.”
Dalung however pointed out that one major problem in Nigeria was the absence of a culture of maintenance.
He said: “I think one major problem is the absence of the maintenance culture and, as part of the change agenda, we are going to reinforce the maintenance culture in Nigeria.
“We should spend what we have to maintain what we have.
“It is better than going on the adventure of creating so many things we are not going to maintain.”
The minister said the drawings would be discussed with the ministry’s management and the most viable option would be adopted to realise the desired dream.
“We will discuss at the ministry level to know whether we are going to concession it or lease it or go for the Public Private Partnership.”
Dalung said this would however take place after approval and unveiling of the drawings and analyses of the cost implication.
He promised to leave the stadium better than it was, adding that attention would also be given to other sports facilities, which have been abandoned across the country.
Displaying the drawings, Hart Bankat, the Managing Director of Mayus Construction, who are the project’s consultants, said the 30-year-old stadium needed rehabilitation.
“The present state of the stadium is worrisome and it needs urgent attention,” Bankut said.
NAN.
he Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday in Abuja promised that the National Stadium in Lagos would be given a facelift.
Dalung gave the assurance at a news conference while receiving the drawings of the new concept for the stadium.
He said: “We are here to receive drawings of the new concept of the National Stadium in Lagos.
“When we assumed responsibility, our determination was to invest our energies more on trying to complete all uncompleted projects.
“At the end of our tenure, if that is what we are able to achieve, we will want posterity to ascribe that to us.
“I have vowed not to contribute to increasing the catalogue of abandoned projects.
“We are not interested in making names in abandoned projects, but will want to be remembered for giving our modest contributions to complete those projects that were abandoned.”
The Sports Minister noted that the stadium was very critical to the country’s sports development, adding: “No country can maintain its image in the face of neglect.
“Therefore, we are here to try to rewrite history.”
Dalung however pointed out that one major problem in Nigeria was the absence of a culture of maintenance.
He said: “I think one major problem is the absence of the maintenance culture and, as part of the change agenda, we are going to reinforce the maintenance culture in Nigeria.
“We should spend what we have to maintain what we have.
“It is better than going on the adventure of creating so many things we are not going to maintain.”
The minister said the drawings would be discussed with the ministry’s management and the most viable option would be adopted to realise the desired dream.
“We will discuss at the ministry level to know whether we are going to concession it or lease it or go for the Public Private Partnership.”
Dalung said this would however take place after approval and unveiling of the drawings and analyses of the cost implication.
He promised to leave the stadium better than it was, adding that attention would also be given to other sports facilities, which have been abandoned across the country.
Displaying the drawings, Hart Bankat, the Managing Director of Mayus Construction, who are the project’s consultants, said the 30-year-old stadium needed rehabilitation.
“The present state of the stadium is worrisome and it needs urgent attention,” Bankut said.
NAN.
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