JONATHAN OKAYS ABUJA, LAGOS STADIA FOR CONCESSION

President Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for the concessioning of the nation's two mega stadia-the Abuja Stadium and National Stadium, Lagos.

This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja by the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission  (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

Abdullahi, who presented the performance report of the sports sector to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), disclosed to State House correspondents that it has become evident that the Federal Government could no longer maintain the six stadia across the six geo-political zones.

The minister said that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has consequently slated the Abuja and Lagos stadia for concession in due course.

His words: "You will recall that last year, Mr President set up an inter-ministerial committee to come up with a sustainable plan for managing these two mega sporting structures. 

“Since then, we have been working with the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, the ICRC to come up with the frame work for concessioning the facilities to the private sector.

"The ICRC has started advertising projects that could come up under concession and they told me that the two stadia , Lagos and Abuja are among the next round of advertising they will do for concession. 

"So, the direction we are heading on these two facilities is concession to the private sector people that can operate them," the minister announced.

According to him, sequel to the request of the Enugu State government, the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in that state has been released to it. 

Also, Bauchi State government, he said, has requested for the release of the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi to it.

Source: Compass