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The Oyo state government has announced plans to put the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasigba, Ibadan under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in order to save it from descending into further decay.
The stadium is currently in a regrettably state of disrepair with weeds taking over a larger part it, facilities broken down and the uncompleted swimming pool taken over by reptiles.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Yomi Oke , blamed the deplorable state of the facilities on lack of finances but stated that the government has concluded plans to invite interested members of the public sector to upgrade and complete the stadium.
Since it was commissioned in 1988, the stadium has remained uncompleted.
According to Oke, the main bow of the sports complex remained the only area that was completed since the stadium was conceived by the government of Major-General David Jemibewon then Lieutenant-Colonel, who started work on the project in 1977.
While the first phase of the stadium project included the construction of a standard stadium , a theatre, Squash, and Tennis Courts, a Swimming Pool and a Shopping Centre, the second phase included the provision of floodlight, Electronic Score Board, painting of the Stadium , Media Chalet renovation among others.
It was gathered that the first phase of sports complex which stood at that stage had consumed N26 million out of the total N43 million it was originally budgeted to cost.
Reports said the construction of the Swimming Pool at the stadium was started by the administration of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The Commissioner said the government would soon advertise expression of interest to bring in private sector participation in the modelling and upgrade of the sports complex.