From Petrus Obi, Enugu

Ahead of the second leg of the CAF Championship League encounter between Enugu Rangers and the J.S SAOURA of Algeria, Enugu State Government will commence the demolition of illegal structures at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as part of efforts to get the stadium ready for the epic match.

Enugu State commissioner for Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Chidi Aroh who conducted newsmen round the stadium yesterday said that the illegal structures defaced the aesthetics of the Stadium and as such constituted an eyesore.

He explained that some of the structures tend to threaten the stadium to the extent that it could bring about its collapse if nothing is done fast to check the problem.

The commissioner lamented that since November last year when some of the structures were marked for demolition the owners have remained adamant, hence the need to have them demolished.

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The Commissioner said that when CAF officials came for inspection of facilities at the Stadium last year ahead of the Championship, the state government signed an undertaking that before the tournament, the illegal structures would have been removed and the Stadium put in proper shape for the championship.

It could be recalled that NFF had threatened that unless the obsolete facilities at the Stadium were put in place, the CAF championship and even local matches may not be played at the Stadium, hence the Enugu State Government efforts to put the Stadium in order ahead of the continental engagement.

The Commissioner who was conducted round the stadium by the Chairman of Enugu FA, Mr. Chidi Ejiofor Okenwa, pointed out that toilets and conveniences at the Stadium have been converted to shops and other business ventures other than the recreational facility for which it was meant for.

Aroh further lamented that people went to the extent of building lock up shops on sewage facilities at the Stadium.

“This is one of the most important place I have brought you here today.  This is the greatest disaster because they are built on sewage.  We had an undertaking with CAF that we’ll put the place in order before the championship.”