The National Stadium, Abuja, now renamed Moshood Abiola National Stadium, is in a state of disrepair following the failure of the government to mainta
The National Stadium, Abuja, now renamed Moshood Abiola National Stadium, is in a state of disrepair following the failure of the government to maintain the facility, which has been taken over by weeds. Findings indicate that many facilities at the complex, built at a whopping cost of $360m in 2003, had deteriorated while the environment look unkempt and rough with grasses growing all over the walkways and parking lot.
The sports complex was renamed Moshood Abiola in honour of the adjudged winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election by President Muhammadu Buhari during the Democracy Day celebration in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 60,491-capacity stadium, which was constructed to host the 8th All Africa Games in October 2003, consists a covered main bowl; presidential suite and viewing area, 56 corporate suites, post office, banks, media facilities, two scoreboards and floodlights as well as shops and kiosks.
Other features include a helipad, 3000-capacity indoor sports hall, 2000-capacity gymnasium, 2000-capacity swimming arena, tennis courts, 3000-capacity hockey stadium and baseball and softball complex. The stadium is also equipped with emergency service units and closed-circuit security cameras, many of which are no longer functional.
Also about three out of the eight fire-fighting vehicles at the complex has been broken down for many years. The facility, which has now been turned to a grazing ground by herdsmen, has cattle droppings all over the surroundings of the indoor section of the stadium.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, which is in charge of the facility, had earlier complained that its budget put at N116bn, was not sufficient to maintain the stadium. The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olusade Adesola said government was planning to concession the facility.
“Concession is on the table; in fact, we are working on a concession plan. I don’t know how long before it will materialise, but it’s a process and it’s on,” he stated.
