*contractor blames commissioner for incident
By; MUSA KUTAMA, Calabar
The indoor sports complex of U.J. Esuene Stadium has collapsed on Friday, 14th of April, after heavy down pour.
The complex which has been under construction for more than two years, was awarded by Former Governor Liyel Imoke to Ujuola Giwa Amu.
Conducting sports correspondents round, Chairman Sports Commission Orok Duke said the ultra-modern indoor sports hall contract was awarded at the cost of N2.2bn.
Other projects include the tartan tracks awarded at the cost of N124m and re-grassing of six football pitches for N74m, while the swimming and training pools cost N433m.
He said that the bulk material needed to complete the abandoned project was estimated at $22m and had been left to decay.
Admitting that about N900 million was remitted to Giwa Amu said: “When we started the project, we were mobilized, we were to be paid 30 to 35 per cent, but instead of receiving that percentage we got something less than 12 per cent and when we inquired why it was so, the then commissioner for special projects claimed that it was for special governor consultancy fee.”
Hon. Orok Duke further said: “Immediately we went to the governor, he said he never heard of that kind of fee but the commissioner came back to say that it was deduction for statutory fees, which ought to come at the end of the project.”
“As of today, we need N650m to complete all other projects but unfortunately we do not have that money because of recession. Again, the rise in dollars has affected the projects. No government will want to abandon its own project,” he said.
The indoor sports hall is not the only abandoned project that has defaced the stadium. There is also the Olympic-size swimming pool and a training pool that have become the home of all manners of bacteria.
Although the contractors handling the project could not be reached, Okang said the contracting firm was holding the state hostage after receiving N390m for a job of N450m. When New Nigerian Sports spoke to Mr.Victor Agwu Commissioner for Special Duties on phone, he said he was not available.
“I am in the village attending burial I can’t comment now till when I come back,” he said.
