Why Udom Cancelled 10-Year Stadium Contract With Julius Berger, Ex-Commissioner

Why Udom Cancelled 10-Year Stadium Contract With Julius Berger, Ex-Commissioner

Ahead of the football world cup qualifier between Nigeria and Algeria slated for this weekend at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Etido Inyang, has given assurance that the match would be hitch-free.

He spoke against the backdrop of complaints that the stadium commissioned for use about two years ago, has been suffering from wear and tear, arising from lack of consistent maintenance by Julius Berger.

Former Governor Godswill Akpabio had committed Julius Berger into the maintenance contract for the stadium for 10 years after the commissioning of the facility.

It was learnt, in the last friendly game against Tanzania, foreign-based players complaint of bad pitch, which they blamed for the below par performance, although the Super Eagles won the game.

But Inyang, who was in charge of Technical Matters when the stadium was built, explained that it became expedient for Governor Udom Emmanuel to review the 10 year maintenance contract with JB in view of the prevailing economic down turn.

According to him, government is currently re-negotiating the contract terms for “the engagement to be year by year”, blaming the dwindling resources accruing to the State for the government action.

Because of paucity of funds, Inyang said maintenance of the stadium turf and other vital areas like the tartan tracks would be handled by JB, while the general cleaning of the stadium has been contracted out to the locals.

He said the stadium has been put to its best look with lighting and other facilities properly fixed for Saturday’s game with Algeria and enjoined fans to go out en-masse to support the the Super Eagles to victory.