Stephen Keshi
ASABA-Ahead of the 2018 edition of African Athletic Championship, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has promised to construct roads around the Stephen Keshi’s Stadium to make it a face lift of a befitting international standard stadium.
The Governor who inspected the stadium shortly after attending this year’s May Day celebration today (Tuesday) expressed confidence that no stone would be left unturned for a successful sporting event that will attract people from all over the world to Asaba.
According to the Governor, “a lot of work have been done; the main bowl is taking shape, construction work is at advanced stage at the swimming pool section, the gallery and l believe that in three weeks’ time, that is, before May 29th, the stadium will be ready for the African Athletic Championship.”
“We are aware of the numerous benefits derivable from hosting such international events, from tourism, business and opportunity for our athletes to be exposed, so, we are ready to host the world,” the Governor said, disclosing, “to ensure hitch-free movement during the competition, I have directed that the streets around the stadium be constructed, this is in addition to the construction of the driveway that we are inspecting presently.”
He continued, “you are aware that work has reached advanced stage at the runway of the Asaba International Airport which will be very busy during the tournament, we are happy and our people are ready for the event.”
Governor who was accompanied on the unscheduled visit by top government functionaries commended the quality and speed of work been done in the stadium.
The Site Engineer, Lewis Masowa who conducted the governor and his team round the facility explained that the Stephen Keshi Stadium was unique because it has 9 lane, FIFA approved football pitch with natural grass.
He clarified that his administration spends about N1 billion monthly for the payment of pensions, noting that the backlog of pension arrears was much but, his administration was making arrangements to clear the backlog.
Governor Okowa also, thanked civil servants for their cooperation in ensuring that the clock – in, clock – out mechanism introduced in the state was effective, stating, “with the clock-in arrangement, we will ensure that only those who work receives salaries.”
“I am committed to the promotion of worker’s welfare, I have never at any point, suspended promotion of civil servants, but I urge all civil servants to be committed to their duties and ensure effective service delivery,” the Governor stated.
Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Jonathan Jemirieyigbe at the event, said, “the theme of this year’s event is, ‘Labour Movement In National Development, Dare To Struggle, Dare To Win;’ “our Governor while I assure you of the workers continuous support to your administration, the organised labour in the state appreciates the giant strides your administration has made in the past three years through your SMART agenda.”
Comrade Chinedu Nwobodo who is the Chairman of TUC in the state in an address at the event, thanked Governor Okowa’s administration for “paying salaries of workers regularly especially in the trying year of 2016 when the economy was at the verge of collapse.”
