Bello to inaugurate 18,000-seater capacity stadium in A’Ibom
Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello is to inaugurate an 18,000-seater capacity stadium in Eket, Akwa Ibom as part of the activities marking the 35th-anniversary celebrations of the state.
The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Ukoh, disclosed this while conducting members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Akwa Ibom Council around the facility on Thursday.
Ukoh expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the new 18,000-seater Eket sports stadium billed to be inaugurated on Sept. 30.
He added that the stadium would serve as a rallying point to harness and develop the abundant raw sporting talents in the state.
The commissioner added that it would also provide an alternative match venue to the professional football clubs in the state plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League and the Nigerian National League.
He commended the indigenous contractors and their supervisors for repaying the confidence reposed in them by the state government.
The commissioner said that the facility which came out of the rubbles of the demolished old Eket sports stadium would relieve the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo of the burden of hosting many major sporting activities in the state.
Ukoh, who commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel 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 athletes and also help to improve their performance.
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 adopted.
Three of the supervising Engineers, Messrs Bassey Akpan, Oku Akpabio and Dr Jimmy Wilson in their submission said the appropriate technical tests and processes were conducted and followed to ensure the facility 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, and four all-covered stands with 18,000 plastic seats.
Other facilities include; a VIP section, media section, electronic scoreboard, spacious parking space, inbuilt offices, meeting rooms, inbuilt shops, spacious parking space and provision for further expansion.
