Another look at the Ibom stadium *A’Ibom people demand for Akpabio’s probe over stadium cost *Say N65b for Only Football Pitch is outrageous *No Practice Pitch; No Indoor Sports; No Volley Ball Pitch; No Basket Ball Pitch; No Lawn Tennis, Swimming Pool Etc As the Akwa Ibom State government led by Chief Godswill Akpabio rolls out the drums to celebrate the completion of the Ibom International Stadium football pitch of the alleged N65 billion-30,000 seats capacity stadium on Friday, November 7, 2014, there are people who feel the governor must be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for an alleged act of inflating the stadium cost to the above stated amount. The people who are all indigenes of the state spoke to Weekend Insight on Saturday, November 1, around the stadium and the adjourning environs when the governor hosted ‘friendly Media practitioners’ on events leading up to the stadium due for inauguration today. Of the 28 individuals’ opinion sampled, it was obvious that 27 outrightly believed that the stadium, devoid of some basic facilities like the games village, standard Olympic sized swimming pool, a standard eight lane tartan tack, baseball, volley ball, basketball, lawn and table tennis courts, as well as practise pitches was overpriced at N65billion. They agreed that the vision behind the stadium was a lofty one but comparing the cost of building a mere 30,000 seat capacity stadium with the only distinct facility being the so called ‘bullet proof 25 seats executive chamber’ which according to them was uncalled for, tongue lashed the state governor for making other people from other clime wealthy at the expense of real indigenes of the state. For instance, Mr Mike Edem, a businessman residing in Uyo, said that he was pleased with the government of His Excellency for having the boldness and creativity to erect the imposing structure but what he was yet to understand was why the exorbitant cost since in 2002, the same Julius Berger Nigeria, built and equipped the Abuja International Stadium acclaimed then as the best in Africa, with the required facilities at a cost of N32billion. The Abuja stadium-an imposing edifice, considered at the time as Africa’s best had a games village and was the proud host of the 2003 All Africa games, yet, that stadium sits 60,000 people comfortably. “My name is Michael Edem, though friends called me Mike Edem, I’ll like to thank his Excellency for his vision, dexterity and creative instinct at erecting this imposing structure. Indeed, it is the pride of all Akwa Ibom Persons irrespective of where or which senatorial districts one comes from. “Having said that, I want to say that the cost: if what you are telling me is true-Iam saying this because I initially learned when this project was to start some three years ago, that the cost was N35billion. This is where Iam confused. When did the cost jump a hundred percent to N62billion or N65billion as you have just informed me? “I want to believe that something is not just sitting rightly here. The incoming administration must initiate a probe mechanism so we can recover our monies. This has become needful because we are very conscious of the fact that there is no basic justification for the hike. The price hike to me is evil and uncalled for.” Mr Edem stressed. In the same vein, Mr James Udo Okon told Weekend insight that he had heard and read enough stories about the stadium and decided to fly down from his Abuja base that fateful Saturday so he could have a first-hand feel of the imposing edifice, but unfortunately due to the governor’s press parley, he was allegedly denied entry by the overzealous Berger security workers who he said vehemently blocked him from gaining access to the stadium claiming that the stadium was undergoing routine security checks towards its inauguration and the match between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa later in the month. When asked by this reporter to comment on the structure and the cost implication of the stadium to the economy of the state, the civil Engineer said “to be honest, I give it to this man (governor Akpabio). He has the vision, courage and the drive, in-fact; he is a genius. This facility will promote sporting engagements amongst our people irrespective of political, religious and or ethnic leanings. Iam proud to be part of this dream come true! On the cost implication, Okon who said he was only learning of such jumbo inflated cost exclaimed, “Honestly I don’t have much on the cost, but if, however, the cost is as you have said, then I recommend that the EFCC be drafted in immediately. Iam serious… how can one construct a 30,000 seat capacity stadium with N65billion? What are the noticeable facilities in this stadium that are not in other stadia the world over? Don’t forget that the Brigadier General U J Esuene stadium at Calabar is a 25, 000 seat arrangement and when it was recently renovated didn’t get near N5billion. If I can recall, it was about N2.5billion. Let me also ask: who actually needs a bullet proof executive stand at the stadium?” Continuing, the vastly travelled engineer still thundering said, “are we at war with ourselves? Do you really think that some football enthusiasts will come into this stadium with some guns to open fire at some people? Were the governor that sincere about security, why didn’t he make the facility covered and bullet proof against any eventuality? I see double standard and a ploy by some ‘skelms’ trying to enrich themselves at the people’s expense. The cost of the stadium to me notwithstanding the ten years maintenance arrangement is still on the high. I will like to see the next government rummage the books to bring culprits to justice to serve as deterrent to others; we can’t continue to live with this wasteful spending.” Another contributor, Mr Mfon Mbaba, a technician at Nsukara Offot who came to the stadium area to see the wonders of art, told Weekend Insight that though the edifice was compellingly beautiful and compares favourably with the best in the world the truth according to him is that hundreds of thousands of our people have severely been impoverished by this government’s anti-people, anti-developmental policies since its inception about seven and a half years now. Mbaba who is of the opinion that he had to move his trade to its present location in Nsukara Offot due to this government’s bad policies noted that though he was impressed about the edifice, he would not forget a government that has impoverished many of his people while at the same time creating wealth for a few individuals. He stressed that had he any means to convene a probe panel, he wouldn’t hesitate to probe the government of Chief Akpabio especially, over this stadium project which he said its cost has been so inflated by those involved as according to him, “they believe even if we know the truth, we will have no means or power to challenge their evil machination against the people.” He stressed. “I don’t want to play politics with the truth. If I have the means and power, I will probe this stadium project: if not on all issues. The cost of the stadium is too high. Does he (the governor) think that Akwa Ibom people are imbecilic-that they won’t ask questions about how their monies were being spent? “Personally, I still hold grudges against Mr Akpabio and his cohorts in the system. They destroyed the poor means of livelihood and drove the orphans out into the wilds and they think God will not judge? Today, I operate from Nsukara Offot and but not for God, I would have lost all, yet; the same government after decimating the sources of livelihood of millions encourages few to make billions from off the sweat of the majority. “At N65billion, I believe the stadium was overpriced. It is even better we have one like this but the next government and certainly not the one the governor seeks to install, but the one the people will: I’m sure that’s the government that will probe this serious mess,” the technician said and added that the struggle to install a successor is because he-the governor, is afraid of a probe saying “this is one reason he is so desperate for a cover up (installing his successor).” However, Mr Ime Udoudo said that irrespective of how vague public held view on Chief Akpabio might seem, the man has been the state’s Messiah given his numerous life touching projects by his government. He said that the Godswill Akpabio led government has done more than enough to earn itself the flurry of praises coming its way from far and near, and alluding to the acknowledgement by FIFA and CAF of this government’s contributions to sports especially football development in the state in particular and Nigeria in general, saying “I believe that the stadium is a befitting monument that speaks volume, attesting to commitment, versatility, creativity and grace in public administration. Mr Udoudo thanked His Excellency for making the state people proud and prayed to God for His continued mercies on the governor whom he described as his modern day hero. Of the 28 interviewees who commented on the stadium, cost of the stadium and other sundry issues, only Udoudo spoke positively of the governor and the government, while 27 others called for a probe to determine the exact cost, arguing that N65billlion on a 30,000 seat stadium, without other compelling sporting facilities, such as volleyball, basketball, indoor sporting hall, swimming pool, practice pitches, lawn tennis, hockey and other sporting facilities, was rather on a higher side.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:04:10 +0000
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