Niger to expend N2.5b on new stadium

The Niger State Government on Friday said it will expend about N2.5 billion for the construction of an ultra modern stadium, which will commence next month.
The Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Shashere, disclosed in Minna that the 10,000 capacity stadium with the potential for expansion to 15,000 will cost the government about N2.5 billion.
Addressing sports writers in Minna after the State Executive Council, the Commissioner said the contract is for the construction of the mainbowl of the stadium.
He said the construction will be completed within 12 months.
According to Shashere: “N1.250 billion of the total contract sum had been set aside while the balance will be sourced for from the 2014 budget of the Ministry and other sources.
“The design drawing and other requirements for the take off of the construction work have been completed and the government had decided to limit its focus to the construction of the main bowl as a result of lack of fund, but we hope that the next administration will continue from wherever we stop.”
It should be recalled that the plan to give Niger State a befitting stadium had been on the drawing board for over three years but technical problems stalled the project, which was expected to have cost over N12 billion, including a 100 bed hotel room, practicing pitches and facilities for indoor games.
Shashere expressed gratitude to the Maikunkele community for providing the land for the project.