Kaduna Embarks On The Contruction Of N1.1bn Sporting Facilities
Submitted on 17/11/2007

from SA on ICT Office, Kaduna

In keeping with the hosting right awarded it for the 16th National Sports Festival, the Kaduna state government, yesterday signed contract agreements for the construction and renovation of sporting facilities worth N1,192,342,738.49 to various firms, bringing to an end, speculations as to whether the facilities would be made available for the festival or not.

The phase one contracts’ co-signed by the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Bitiyong Yakubu Nkom (on behalf of the state government), were awarded to five different firms, with time-frames and warnings from Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo that quality and standard of the works would not be compromised.

According to the details of the signed contracts, Paul-B Nigeria Plc was awarded the contract for the construction of spectator-stands at the Murtala Muhammed Square at the cost of N154,007,792.24 with a time-frame of 20 weeks and a 25 per cent advance payment.

Another firm, Aron Nigeria Limited, was awarded the contract for the construction of an indoor sports hall at the cost of N466,793,061.00, to be completed within 24 weeks, with an advance payment of 25 per cent of the cost.

The construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool complex was awarded to State Co. Nigeria Limited at the cost of N404,012,978.25, with an advance payment of 50 per cent to the firm for the work to be completed within 12 weeks.

Also awarded was a contract for the construction of outdoor courts to De Hatro Integrated Limited at the cost of N138,997,320.00 with an advance payment of 25 per cent of the total cost and to be completed in 20 weeks.

Ashwell & Patrick Limited was another firm awarded the construction of gymnasium and squash courts at the Nigeria Air Force Base. The cost of the contract, which is expected to be completed in 14 weeks, is N28,531,587.00 with 75 per cent advance payment, in view of the high offshore component as considered by the state government.

In all, the contract agreements signed yesterday were for a total of 1,192,342,738.49, out of a budgetary provision of 1,500,000,000.00 in the year 2007.

The commissioner for Youth and Sport said that the state was committed to the project.

The commissioner re-echoed Governor Namadi Sambo's stance on the fact that even if Kaduna was not going to host the National Sports Festival, the state government is determined to provide sporting facilities for the benefit of generations to come.

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.

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