HE challenge posed
by the movement of the nation’s capital to Abuja on the management of government
property, especially buildings, is enormous. As a former capital city, Lagos is
faced with the responsibility of contending with properties, which the Federal
Government has failed to adequately manage.
The degeneration of these properties and their gradual
transformation into eyesore has necessitated calls for the sale of such
properties, at least, to save them from further deterioration and depreciation
in value. Most of such properties are today, a shadow of their old self.
One of such property which has attracted public concern is
the National Stadium in Surulere area. The sporting arena has been marked for
sale by its owners given that the transfer of major national sporting events
have now shifted to the Abuja National Stadium. Housing Minister, Chief Mobolaji
Osomo has also reiterated government’s determination to dispose of the complex.
It is on this ground that the Lagos State government has indicated interest to
buy the complex.
The interest by Lagos State government is a bold reminder of
the urgency to take decision on the stadium and indeed, other such Federal
Government property in the state. This is because, the complex, like other such
abandoned, have suffered untold neglect, causing serious depreciation in the
real estate value.
The lack of maintenance of the stadium which was once a pride
for Nigeria speaks for the country’s capacity to maintain its assets. The
neglect of the National Stadium in Surulere has made it possible for
unauthorized persons and miscreants to annex the stadium where they now collect
all manner of tolls which are not accounted for to Federal Government or the
local council. Indeed, these brand of persons see in the abandonment and neglect
of the stadium, an opportunity to defraud the public.
Social miscreants have also found a home in the stadium which
now gives cover to criminals, who often make the entrance to the waning edifice
impassable to pedestrians. There have been reports of rape and robbery around
the area especially at night.
Such new found use for the stadium by social miscreants
negates the purposes of government in building the complex. It also rubbishes
whatever sporting accolade the country had won at the complex.
IT is apparent that at the root of the rot and deterioration
of the stadium is the absence of regular sporting activities which has made it
difficult for the management committee of the stadium to see reason to maintain
its existing facilities and appropriately secure the complex. This has led to
the loss of vital facilities to thieves and all manner of persons who have easy
access to pilfer facilities there.
Considering Nigeria’s interest in hosting major international
sporting events in the future, there is no doubt that the stadium in Surulere
will still serve the nation some useful purposes. It will therefore be wrong for
government to turn its back on the stadium for the mere fact that another one
has been built in Abuja. Sooner or later perhaps, the new stadium at Abuja will
be old.
However, if the Federal Government which owns it, finds it
out of place to regularly maintain and organize sporting events at the stadium,
and through such generate funds, then, it is only logical and economically wise
to sell it.
Considering the fact that a lot of resources have been spent
on the stadium, it makes no sense to allow it rot away. We therefore welcome the
interest expressed by the Lagos State government. The selling process should
however be open, and transparent. Every interested party or intending buyer
should be given equal opportunity to compete. The future buyer need not
necessarily be a state government or an individual. It can be a consortium of
sporting clubs.
We recall that in the past, sporting clubs have been
encouraged to own their own stadia. This, may be a good opportunity for some of
such clubs to own one.
Besides, any buyer of the complex must bring it back to life and reinvigorate
the sporting tradition in the country through regular hosting of sporting events
there. It is only when the complex is brought back to life and put to maximum
use that it can begin to generate funds for its maintenance. The National
Stadium, at which Nigeria lifted her first African Cup of Nations trophy, should
not be allowed to rot away.
