Why newly-renovated Lekan Salami Stadium’s roof leaks, pitch flooded – Oyo

The Oyo State Government, on Thursday, said the newly-unveiled Lekan Salami Stadium Complex is still under construction.

The government said this after videos surfaced online showing the leaking roof of a part of the stadium.

A video also showed that the main bowl was flooded during a friendly match between between 3SC and Tabor Sezana, a top Slovenian league side, on Wednesday.

The Eaglesforesight learnt that the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium is back exactly one year after the contract was awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited through the Alternative Project Funding Approach.

Reacting, the government, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also described attempts to rubbish the stadium project by “some opposition elements” as misguided.

It stated that the claim that only the stadium cost N5 billion was untrue and mischievous.

Part of the statement read, “Some critics have attempted to blow the cost of fixing the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba out of proportion, especially in view of the water that logged on sections of the pitch due to heavy rain.

“Let it be placed on record that the main bowl of the stadium was only the first phase of the entire project which comes in phases. There is the main bowl, the gymnasium and indoor sports hall for a variety of sporting activities, a world class Tennis court as well as the luxury apartments which will be given out on annual subscription.

“Besides, the pitch as seen on Wednesday is work in progress, because the contractor has not handed over the project to the state government. The contractor had explained that the pitch needed three more months to fully solidify so that the automatic drainage system would become fully functional.

“But the unveiling had to be done to ensure that our darling Shooting Stars Sports Club returns to Ibadan, having been forced to play their matches outside the state for so long owing to absence of a good pitch in Ibadan.

“The contractor has given his assurance to address the challenges of the pitch and by the time the works are completed, Oyo State would definitely have the value for its money, which has always been the priority and intention of Governor Makinde.”