Some stakeholders and sports fans have called on the Federal Government to look into the ongoing process, which they believe is secretive and hasn’t followed due process, following what they called “the shady deals” behind the concession of the National Stadium, Lagos.
Additionally, they pleaded with the FG to refurbish and repurpose the athletic arena.
The FG had stated that it intended to concession the stadium as part of its Public-Private Partnership program. However, those closely monitoring the decision claimed that it was marred by “dirty politics and racketeering” and that it had not been carried out in accordance with the law.
When our correspondent visited the decaying stadium on Saturday morning, the arena was alive with over 3,000 visitors and athletes alike engaged in various sporting activities from the tennis courts to the swimming pool and the Legacy pitch of the stadium.
It was revealed that they’ve already concluded the stadium bidding process without public knowledge, with their preferred candidate will be announced soon.
Last November, unknown officials took inventory of the facilities inside the stadium, ahead of announcing the takeover of the 51-year-old edifice.
While stakeholders believe the stadium concession can restore the beauty of the moribund sporting monument, they added that for it to work, the modalities for giving out the stadium to the private sector must be done in a credible and transparent manner.
