Abuja National Stadium Gulps N120m For Water, Power Monthly

Sports Minister, Yusuf Suleiman, yesterday in Abuja described the Abuja National Stadium as a first-class facility with a third-class maintenance level, despite gulping a whopping N60m each for water and electricity every month

Suleiman, who said this while addressing newsmen after inspecting the facility, however, said he had directed that something be done about the situation.

“I have seen first-class facilities here during my inspection of the stadium, but sadly, it is a facility with third-class maintenance,’’ he said.

The minister noted that while the facilities in the stadium complex were world-class, maintenance efforts were below standard and could not justify the funds spent on it.

“The National Sports Commission (NSC) has been paying about N60 million to the Water Board monthly on this stadium, just about the same amount goes to PHCN for electricity consumption.

“Yet, it is a fact that we hardly put the place to use and it does not generate money that reflects the worth of the facility. We need to make money from it,’’ he said.

Suleiman, who was at the stadium for the first time in his new role since assuming duty last week, said he was taking steps to change the situation.

“I have already discussed the issue with the commission’s Director-General (Chief Patrick Ekeji), and we are already looking at what to do about it.

“This is why we will have to make use of the public private partnership (PPP), and I have told the stadium management to come out with plans on how to make this happen,’’ he said.

Earlier, Suleiman, who is also the NSC chairman, said he would encourage the private sector to show more interest in sports development.

This, he said, would be through the provision of sports equipment in the local communities.

The minister noted that the NSC would continue to focus on grass roots sports development through a talent-hunt programme, which will facilitate age-grade competitions.

“To promote keener competition at this level, a performance benchmark will be set, which will attract cash and other rewards for athletes and coaches,’’ he said.