By Joe Apu
The collapse of one of the floodlights mast in the National Stadium, Surulere last Monday following a rainstorm may not be the last unless urgent steps are taken.
A visit to the National Stadium on Friday revealed a partial closure of the facility to curb the influx of visitors.
However, a close look to the other floodlight masts showed weaknesses that might see them collapse sooner than later. A source within the complex told The Sun Sports on Saturday that more of the floodlight masts are accidents waiting to happen.
“The sooner the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development take decisive steps the better for all of us because aside the mast that had fallen, others are weak and are likely to also collapse.
“My concern is that the federal government and the ministry are paying lip services to this issue until there are casualties. The whole period the stadium was closed, no serious work was done with the huge funds that is claimed to have been spent. There should be some sincerity on the part of our leaders and not lies,” our source lamented.
Only on Thursday, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare had reacted to the collapsed floodlight mast pointing out that constant maintenance is needed to keep sporting facilities in shape. The stadium, which was built in the early 1970s, and was inaugurated by the government of Gen. Yakubu Gowon as venue for the hosting of the 1st edition of the national sports festival, in 1973 was also the nest of the senior men’s national side, the Green Eagles; and hosted several Challenge Cup matches and finals; as well as major events in other facets of sports, hence the name “Sports City”.
The outgoing minister of sports, Sunday Dare while giving an update on ongoing efforts by the ministry under his watch; to refurbish obsolete stadiums and sports facilities, had estimated that the ongoing work at the National Stadium in Lagos, will gulp an additional N21 billion before the edifice, which has been abandoned and neglected for at least 19 years now; can be fully brought back to life.