…. 10-man committee on review of tax complaints
Enugu State government has approved a complete renovation and refurbishment of the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium,Enugu and the Awgu games village in preparation of the National Sports Festival coming up next year, 2026.
The state government has also approved the setting up of a 10-man multi-sectoral committee, to review the tax complaints in the State.
Commissioner for Information and Communication,Dr Malachy Agbo made this known while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held , Friday in Government House,Enugu.
According to the Commissioner, the committee will be set up next week and will be given a terms of reference
Throwing more light on the approval of the games facilities , the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Llyord Ekweremadu,Jnr. said the State Executive Council approved the memo which was presented for the award of contracts for the complete refurbishment of Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, as well as the reconstruction of the Games Village at Awgu.
From L -R: Commissioner for works and infrastructure,Ben Okoh, Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Head of Service,Dr Godwin Anigbo and Commissioner for youths
“As you are aware, Enugu State will be playing host to the National Sports Festival, the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival and these two facilities are very key for the successful hosting of what His Excellency has said will be a world-class multi-sport event.
“You are also aware that these two facilities are critical state asset part of this government’s policy is about the revitalisation and revival of Moribund assets.
“So particularly as it concerns the Awgu Games Village, we are very excited of the prospect that this will have for the local economy of Awgu environs and neighbouring communities, even beyond the sports festival,” Ekweremadu said..
He thanked the governor and members of the Enugu State Executive Council for approving the award of those two critical contracts.
Fielding questions from Newsmen, Ekweremadu said Olympic size swimming pool will be constructed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium , while lawn tennis will be played at the Sports club,Enugu and badminton will played at the indoor court at the stadium.
“So for the stadium, the aim is one, to meet CAF and FIFA requirements as far as stadium facilities are concerned.
On the company that will do the job, the Commissioner said the contract has not been awarded.
“From L -R: Commissioner for works and infrastructure,Ben Okoh, Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Head of Service,Dr Godwin Anigbo and Commissioner for youths
So it’s not been awarded to any particular company A or company B But we now have the approval of council to go on to award those contracts after due process, procurement process has been conducted. And then as far as timeline, it is expected to be a 10-month delivery timeline for award of contracts. that includes both the playing surface, the adjoining facilities, the spectator facilities, and all the other amenities, which will all be touched.
“Then , you talk about accessibility and crowd management control mechanisms that will be put in place as part of this ,and then the track, which is going to meet World Athletics certification standards.
“Then on the external side of things, a complete facelift. So even when you’re just driving on the road, you can see a brand new looking stadium complex from outside as well.
Then , what we’re also looking forward to is complete coverage of the stands.We currently just have one side of it covered as a cover stand.
” So this project envisages canopy coverage across board. Then* as far as the Gaines Village, it’s supposed to include accommodation facilities., it’s going to include an indoor sports facility, outdoor sports facilities, something like a mini stadium as well.
” So the stadium here in Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium is also envisaged to include an aquatic centre, of course we need an Olympic standard swimming pool for the National Sports Festival..
“So for the stadium, the aim is one, to meet CAF and FIFA requirements as far as stadium facilities are concerned,” Ekweremadu said.
.On his part, the Head of Service, Dr Godwin Anigbo , announced that the 2025 civil service week ;will be held in November.
“The Council approved the celebration of 2025 edition of civil service work slated from 17th of November to 23rd of November, with the theme “,leveraging technology for smart and agile public service, which clearly resonates with the policy trust of this government that speaks directly to disruptive innovation.
” The digitalisation process is ongoing in the public service in Enugu andb plans are underway to migrate fully from non-digital to paperless process in the public service.
“This will in turn impact on productivity and the free optimum service delivery.He called on the civil servants to get up to all the activities lined up for 2025 edition of the civil service week.,” he said .
Dr. Anigbo said they will include health and medical outreach for civil servants. at the state secretariat.
“There will be lecture series that will speak directly to the theme of this year’s event, which is leveraging technology for smart and agile public service. So we have two lecture series. One for junior civil servants.”The other one is for senior civil servants.
“Also we have the routine march past context, cultural day. of course not left out is the endurance trek and other activities.
“So something that is very clearly different from the usual is the issue of medical and health day for civil servants, which is very critical to us. Because if you have a healthy service, people in the service, you can always expect optimum performance of service delivery”,Dr. Anigbo said
Author: Maureen Ikpeama.
