The Niger State Government is to spend N2.4 billion on the construction of a new stadium in Minna, the state Commissioner for Sports, Mr Daniel Shashere, said on Friday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Shashere told newsmen in Minna after the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council that the stadium would restore the lost glory of the state in sports activities.
He said that the stadium complex was scaled down from its original scope to a compact one that would include the construction of its main bowl.
The commissioner explained that the main bowl was expected to have a 10,000 seat capacity, with the ability of expanding it to accommodate 15, 000.
He said that construction of the stadium would begin in March with a 12 month-duration for its completion.
“This will ensure the completion of the project within the life span of this administration,” he said.
Shashere said the sum of N1.2 billion had been set aside in a special account for the project while the balance would be got from the 2014 budget of the ministry and other sources.
He said the design drawing and other requirements for the take off of the construction work had been completed.
According to him, the government decided to limit its focus to the construction of the main bowl of the stadium due to lack of fund.
“The plan to give Niger State a befitting stadium has been on the drawing board for over three years.
“But technical problems stalled the project which was expected to have cost over N12bn, including a 100 bed hotel rooms, practice pitches and facilities for indoor games,” he said.
Shashere expressed gratitude to the Maikunkele community for providing the land for the project. (NAN)
