Sports
Kogi Govt Decries Vandalisation Of Confluence Stadium, Quits Illegal Occupants
The Kogi Government has expressed deep displeasure and concerns over the degree of destruction at the State’s sports centre, the Confluence Stadium, describing it as ‘’untoward and worrisome”.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Monday Anyebe made the remarks in Lokoja on Monday when he led a delegation of ministry officials on an assessment tour of the sporting facility.
Anyebe said the team was in the stadium to assess the extent of vandalism by criminal elements who had carted away some equipment at the stadium.
He expressed concern over the level of vandalism, describing it as ‘worrisome’ and vowed that government would do everything possible to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
The commissioner also directed the immediate ejection of all illegal occupants from the facility and its premises within 14 days, or face forceful eviction and arrest.
According to him, the current administration in the state would not sit idle and watch vandals turn the stadium complex into hideouts for criminal elements in the state.
“All illegal occupants within the premises and the immediate perimeter fence of the stadium should heed the directive to vacate the premises within 14 days.
“Gov. Ahmed Ododo will not condone any act of criminality in the state; anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law,” Anyebe warned.
Anyebe further disclosed that plans are ongoing to turn around the deplorable conditions of the stadium, assuring that the facility would be renovated to a world standard for the development and growth of sporting activities in the state.
He, therefore implored the perpetrators to desist from causing set back for the government in its quest to develop the state.
The commissioner assured that adequate measures were being put in place to safeguard the sports facilities.
The commissioner also visited the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Lokoja to brief the Command on the development, stressing the need for synergy with the ministry towards providing adequate security for the stadium.
Anyebe appealed to the Command to join hands with his office in ensuring that personnel of the Corps were posted to the facility to avoid future recurrence.
Welcoming the delegation in his office, the Command’s Deputy Commandant, Bala Bodinga, on behalf State NSCDC Commandant, Paul Igwebuike, lauded the commissioner and his encourage for the visit.
He described the visit as timely and assured the commissioner of the NSCDC’s collaboration to ensure the safety of facilities at the Stadium complex and other installations in the state.