REMODELING OF LEKAN SALAMI SPORTS COMPLEX TO GULP N5.5BILLION

The remodeling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan to be a par with international standard has been flagged off by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The project which is to be funded through the Alternate Project Funding Approach (APFA), is estimated to gulp about N5.5billion. The event which was held at main bowl of the stadium, has been described by Governor Makinde as a step in the right direction to positioning the state to attract investments.

He maintained that his administration would double its efforts in making sure the infrastructure is put in place to support the growth of IGR in the state and create employment.
He said “Experts all over the world have predicted that there would be a period of economic hardship post-COVID-19. In fact, if you have been following the news, you would have heard about a few countries that are already heading towards a recession.

“So, this is the right time to make decisions that will cushion the effect of the pandemic on our economy. We must double our efforts to put the infrastructure in place that will support the growth of IGR in the state.

“And this is why we are here today, to flag-off the remodeling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan. This is another step in the right direction, positioning Oyo State to attract investments. I hear some people are already saying we should slow down. But I am here to tell you that this is not the time to even think of slowing down. Our administration is here to grow Oyo State, “Oyo State has had a rich sporting history. Back in 1963, the first World Boxing title ‘fight in Africa’’ was held in Oyo State. We were able to host that fight and benefit from all the tourism revenue because, we had the facilities to do so. And so, we are remodeling this sports complex now, so we can reap the benefits in IGR. If there was a call for cities to host a national sporting event today, can Oyo State boast of having the facilities?”

“The total contract sum for the remodeling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex is ₦5,580,001,151:62k. This project will be funded using the Alternate Project Funding Approach (APFA). The contractor will use his own money to fund the project and then we will repay over 29 months.

“The contractors, Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, has given us the assurance that the project will be completed in 18 months. By God’s grace, in the next 12 months, Coronavirus would have left us, and we will have the opportunity to sit here, in this stadium, fully remodeled and watch my team the 3SC beat their opponents, live.

Governor Makinde further stated that no investor could be attracted without the right environment and infrastructure,

“If we are telling people to leave wherever they are and come here, we should be able to give them what they are benefiting there and even more.

“We keep saying Oyo State is ready for business, but without the right infrastructure in place, they will tell us they like our policies, but they want to see better facilities. So, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that whenever investors come calling, we are ready to receive them and make them stay, that means matching our policies with action.

“We have already told them there will be no multiple taxations and that we will not wake up and impose random taxes on them; they can see that is true. We have also promised that they will not spend hours in traffic; we are keeping our promise by investing in road construction and rehabilitation. We also have to match the tourism and recreational facilities that they have in other places.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede had earlier stated that, it is a new era for the sports-loving people in the state as they are about to witness a rebirth of sports and new lease of life in an effort to retrieve the past glory of the state sporting activities.

He did decried the poor state of facilities and sports infrastructure in the state, which are old, decaying and in urgent need for renovation, completion and remodeling.

“No new one has been constructed in the last 44 years of the state’s existence. This has, therefore, explained why the level of sports performance in the state is dwindling and the state is losing its pacesetting status in sports performance.” Said, Mr Fakorede.

When the renovation and remodeling is completed the 8,000 capacity Stadium will be increased by 25% capacity, which will be 10,000 capacity. The stadium will be renovated to international standard and it will be accredited to host national and international competitions.
The representative of the Engineering firm handling the project, Mr. Olarenwaju Adeleke, said,

“By the time we are done in 12 months, the stadium will be fully certified for local and international events,”

The stadium has been known for nursing talents that have represented the state at the national sporting events and represented Nigeria at international competitions.