Enyimba stadium: Abia completes initial payment, returns contractor to site

November 28, 2017 

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Contractor handling Enyimba Stadium, Aba, MoniMitchelle Sports Facilities Construction limited has promised to deliver the stadium before the new Nigerian league season starts on January 14, 2018.

Mr Ebi Egbe, the Director, disclosed this in Aba on Tuesday in an interview with our correspondent after inspecting the stadium with Abia Sports Commissioner, Dr Martins Okoji.

“We are back on site because it is a money play. Government has paid and so we are back to work. Enyimba is also my team so we are doing everything to return Enyimba home.

“But you know once there is a delay in contract, it gives rise to variation. But it will not stop us from doing what we need to do as contractors to assist the state”, he said.

Egbe said Abia government’s delay in fulfilling their contract had raised the cost of the work but promised to be working and talking with the government to ensure timely completion.

Egbe while conducting the commissioner round the stadium said two stairways needed reconstruction to avoid death as well as public conveniences and upgrading of its dressing rooms.

 He also noted that Enyimba stadium needed a Video Replayer Electronic Scoreboard and LED floodlights to attain FIFA standard which would drive usage traffic to it to the benefit of the state.

The Abia Sports Commissioner, Okoji said that he came to access the level of work done and what needs to be done at the stadium to return Enyimba FC to the stadium before January.

“Abians are interested, state government is interested, sports lovers are interested to see that Enyimba boys return to their stadium. 

“The state government is committed to seeing Enyimba stadium fixed. From what you, Monimitchelle has told us that you are going to commence work immediately, ensure much is done before the January 14, 2018 league kickoff”, he said.

Okoji urged the contractor to visit his office for discussion on anything that could hinder his timely completion of the work promising to forward such to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for immediate action.

He also charged him to deliver quality work that will leave Abia state people excited instead of disappointed.

The Abia State government gave out the contract to Monimitchelle limited to reconstruct the stadium and plant semi-artificial grass on it in December 2015 with mandate to complete it in 90 days.

However, the delay in the initial contract payment completion hindered the work resulting in Enyimba FC of Aba playing their league matches in Port Harcourt and Calabar stadia for two seasons.

Enyimba FC stadium which sits about 25, 000 spectators has a football pitch measuring 110 X 74 meters which is rated the biggest pitch in the world.