Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday expressed displeasure at the ongoing renovation works in Warri City Stadium.
Recall that the immediate past Delta State Sports Commission Chairman, Chief Tonobok Okowa had in January 2023 assured that the Warri City Stadium will be the cynosure of all sports loving fans by the time the ongoing renovation work is completed within next three months.
Tonobok Okowa had while on inspection of construction works at the stadium said the immediate past of the Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa directed that the best of facilities have to be used to rebuild the complex so as to ensure a long lasting sports centre that will stand the test of time.
However, Governor Oborevwori who on Monday inspected the various sites of the ongoing Storm Water Drainage Project in Warri and Uvwie, said that he was not too satisfied with the level of work done at the stadium.
The Governor was quoted as saying, “We are going to look at the contract to see how we can review it, and some of the areas that are not properly scoped will be scoped. We want the best for Warri, and this is Warri City Stadium.”
It would also be recalled that Tonobok Okowa during his visit to the stadium in January 2023 noted that most of the facilities have dilapidated and would have to be rebuilt to meet the required international standard as directed by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He said that the tartan tracks would be replaced with the modern ones as it was done in Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, where the old ones were removed and replaced with the quality of the ones used in Oregon and Birmingham.
He further asserted that the same facilities in Birmingham are what the Governor has directed them to use but warned that there must be security forces that would prevent vandals from destroying the facilities.
He said that the different sections in the complex will be adequately addressed to ensure that the Governor’s directives are carried out to the latter without leaving any stone unturned.
Tonobok Okowa observed that the swimming pool is also part of the facilities to be renovated as it is already of the international standard but would need to constant use for effective utilization and maintenance.
