A’Ibom Sports Commissioner lauds indigenous contractors for delivering quality sports facility at Eket
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Monday Ukoh has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the new 18,000-seater Eket sports stadium billed for commissioning today, Friday.
He has also said that the stadium would serve as a rallying point to harness and develop the abundant raw sporting talents in the state.
He made this commendation when members of the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Akwa Ibom State chapter went on a pre-commissioning inspection of the facility.
Led by the state chairman, Mr Emmanuel Akpan, the sports commissioner, commended the indigenous contractors and their supervisors for repaying the confidence reposed on them by the state government by demonstrating competence in the construction of the sports facility.
He said that the facility which evolved from the rubbles of the demolished old Eket sports stadium would relieve the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo of the burden of hosting many major sporting activities in the state.
Ukoh who commended the Governor for his efforts in sports development in the state was of the opinion that the modern facilities at the stadium would bring much-needed exposure to budding athletes as well as help to improve their performances.
He added that, it would also provide an alternative match venue to the many professional football clubs in the state plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League and the Nigerian National League.
Meanwhile, contractors who handled the construction of the stadium have expressed satisfaction with the work they have done but advised that a strategic maintenance plan be put in place to protect and sustain the facility.
Three of the supervising Engineers, Engr Bassey Akpan, Engr Oku Akpabio, and Dr Jimmy Wilson in their submissions said the appropriate technical tests and processes were conducted and followed while the facility would stand the test of time.
Our correspondent reports that the new stadium has the most modern astroturf pitch, floodlights, an eight-lane tartan running track, four all-covered stands with 18,000 plastic seats, VIP section, media section, electronic scoreboard, spacious parking space, inbuilt offices, meeting rooms, inbuilt shops, spacious parking space and provision for further expansion.
It would be commissioned on Friday with the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello expected as the special guest of honour afterward a friendly match played between NPFL sides, Akwa United of Uyo and Katsina United of Katsina.
