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Some stakeholders in the sports sector have voiced their concerns over the concessioning of the long abandoned National Stadium, Lagos, claiming the process is not transparent.
Former sports minister, Sunday Dare had begun the process to concession the decaying edifice to the private sector after it was abandoned for close to two decades.
Dare’s successor, John Enoh, on assumption of office, said the concessioning would continue, adding that the process was close to completion.
But several sports enthusiasts faulted the process, saying it was not open to the public, and urged the minister to ensure transparency in the bidding process.
Built in 1972, the National Stadium, Lagos was the best in West Africa at the time and immediately hosted the African Games the following year. It also hosted major sporting events like the 1980 and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1999 U-20 World Cup, and top continental competitions, amongst others.
The multi-purpose stadium in Surulere had an Olympic-size swimming pool and a multi-purpose arena for athletics, rugby, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, wrestling and boxing.
However, over the years, it was left to rot away, with the edifice kept alive by individuals, who managed some sections like tennis, swimming and boxing.
With the Federal Government’s decision to concession the arena, officials commissioned by the sports ministry have been taking inventory of facilities inside the arena.
Though stakeholders hailed the move, they also kicked against the selection process, which they claimed was shrouded in secrecy. They questioned the period the bids were made,
The identity of those who tendered the bids and the procedures that were followed.
“Nobody says the stadium should not be concessioned. It’s in a bad state and we want it renovated but people must be carried along, why are they hiding it? We have not been told about how they arrived at who they want to give the facility to, which shouldn’t be,” a stakeholder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
A physically challenged athlete also lamented the scenario, saying it could affect their careers.
“We do almost everything here (stadium), training, relaxing and training again. We do this on a daily basis. Are we sure those taking over this place will allow special athletes to thrive? I am a wheelchair tennis athlete and I train on the courts here. Will they continue to allow us use this facility? What about those who have spent money on this place (tennis section), the swimming pool and other places keeping the stadium alive? Will they tell them to go? They should make this concession transparent for the benefit of all us, especially the physically challenged athletes,” our source said.
However, Director of Facilities, sports ministry, Abolore Alanamu, said the outcome of the report would be made public once it’s concluded.
“The relevant committee is continuing with its work, so whatever the outcome of their report is, will be uploaded to the relevant management. The ministry will announce the bid winner at the end of the process,” Alanamu stated.
