*Funding Only Major Challenge, Says Site Manager; South-South NUJ Hails Project as Boost to Bayelsa Sports Development
The contractor handling the construction of the 30,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene, Yenagoa, Mutual Commitments Company Limited (MCC), has assured that the project will be completed within the approved 24-month timeframe.
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The Site Manager, Engr. Emmanuel Dagogo, gave the assurance when the South-South Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Vice Chairman, Comrade Opaka Dokubo, visited the project site as part of a projects monitoring tour during the zonal executive’s working visit to Bayelsa State.
Dagogo, who took the journalists round the expansive construction site, said the project had progressed through several critical stages, including piling, excavation, pile-cap construction, foundation works and backfilling.
He explained that the piling phase was particularly important given the difficult terrain of the area, noting that the contractor had adopted a sequential construction process to ensure that work continued across different sections of the site.
“Now we’re doing piling work. Then after piling, we now have to excavate because when you pile for settlement, we have to create the pile caps ahead, which is about one metre,” Dagogo explained.
He said the process involved breaking out the top portion of the piles, constructing pile caps, columns and beams, and subsequently backfilling the sections to prepare them for the next phase of construction.
“After re-excavating and doing the pile caps, these are the pile caps, the columns, the beams, we now have to come back to refill. This is what we are doing,” he said.
According to him, foundation slabs and continuation beams were already being undertaken in some sections of the project.
“Work is ongoing,” he affirmed.
Contractor Targets 24-Month Delivery
On the delivery schedule, Dagogo said the contractor was working towards completing the stadium within the 24-month period approved for the project.
“It’s a 24-month project timeline that we have. So we’re working on that,” he said.
He explained that the contractor had established both offices and accommodation at the project site to minimise delays associated with travelling to and from the construction area.
“We work night and day. That is why we have our quarters there, because we don’t want any excuse — ‘there’s hold-up here’ or ‘there’s flood here.’ So everybody stays here, stays on site,” he stated.
Dagogo said different shifts were being deployed as work progresses, although full 24-hour operations had not commenced across all sections because some areas were still undergoing backfilling.
The Site Manager also acknowledged the State Government’s expectation that the facility should be available before the end of the present administration, as well as Bayelsa’s hosting rights for the National Sports Festival.
“Yeah, not just that. We are aware that the state has gotten the hosting rights for the National Sports Festival. So those two factors in mind, we are doing our best possible,” he said.
Funding Identified as Major Challenge
Asked what could potentially prevent the contractor from meeting the completion target, Dagogo identified funding as the major challenge.
“Funding. Funding. That’s what I can say. If adequate funding is made available, the speed of the work,” he said.
He, however, stressed that the contractor remained committed to delivering the project.
“We don’t leave our houses to come here and play. So if funds are available to do our work, I’m sure about that. Just funding,” he stated.
On the availability of funds from the state government so far, Dagogo acknowledged the government’s efforts but noted that the prevailing economic situation remained challenging.
“So far the government, they are doing their best. They are doing their best,” he said.
He added that improved economic conditions would enhance government revenue and facilitate faster execution of projects.
“But the circumstances, it’s a challenge, and rather than backing off from that challenge, we have to fight the challenge head-on. We have to bite the bullet. So that’s what we’re doing,” Dagogo stated.
Rain, Flooding Not Major Threat
The Site Manager dismissed fears that rainfall could significantly derail the project, explaining that the contractor had adopted measures to cope with the weather and flooding.
“The most difficult part of the work has been done, which is the piling,” he said.
Dagogo noted that the work schedule could be adjusted around rainfall, with construction activities continuing during available weather windows.
“We have a mandate to deliver, and that’s what we are doing,” he stated.
He disclosed that pumping machines were being deployed to remove water from construction areas, while drainage infrastructure was also being incorporated into the stadium.
He said the stadium site had been raised above the normal ground and road levels, reducing the risk of flooding.
“So this place is actually higher than normal ground level. It’s also higher than the road level. So issue of flooding is not an issue,” Dagogo said.
Stadium to Have Fire Safety, Water Infrastructure
Conducting the journalists round the facility, Dagogo pointed out sections designated for sewage, electrical and fire-protection infrastructure.
He said the stadium would have fire hydrants and sprinkler systems, supported by a dedicated water-treatment facility for firefighting purposes.
“If there is fire… we have fire sprinklers and they will push that to show where you have the fire, and start sprinkling,” he explained.
“This is going to be the water treatment facility for the stadium. So here… is going to be where we have water for the fire in the event of any fire hazard.”
He further explained that construction activities were being carried out sequentially, with some workers operating behind the backfilling operations to prevent unnecessary delays.
NUJ Hails Stadium Project
Speaking after the inspection, the South-South Vice Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Opaka Dokubo, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its infrastructure development initiatives.
Dokubo said the projects inspected by the delegation demonstrated significant investment in the state’s physical infrastructure.
“I think I’d like to commend the Bayelsa State Government for keeping faith with the people. The projects we have seen are quite an addition to infrastructural development of the state, no doubt,” he said.
He particularly cited the road projects in Yenagoa, saying the improved road network was gradually changing the perception of Bayelsa as a “one-road city.”
“We’re glad that the government is working to uplift the infrastructure of the state,” he stated.
On the 30,000-capacity stadium, Dokubo described the project as one capable of significantly advancing sports development in Bayelsa.
“Indeed, that is one project that I am sure will give the people of Bayelsa something to really look forward to,” he said.
The NUJ leader noted Bayelsa’s strong sporting pedigree, particularly in wrestling, football and other sporting disciplines, saying the new facility could provide an avenue for discovering and nurturing new talents.
“We’re going to really discover more stars and raise the sports profile of the state. And it will also engage young people,” Dokubo said.
He, however, urged the government to complement the construction of sporting facilities with investment in athletes and young people.
“It is not just enough to build the facilities. I would expect that government will go a step further to actually invest in the young people,” he said.
NUJ Commends Gas Turbine Project, Peace
The delegation also inspected the newly commissioned gas turbine project, which Dokubo described as a major investment in the state’s economic future.
“When you have power supply, you can be sure that everybody one way or the other will get engaged. And indeed, it is the bedrock, it is indeed the foundation of industrialisation, power,” he said.
Dokubo expressed optimism that reliable electricity would stimulate industrialisation and economic activity across the state.
He also commended the peaceful atmosphere in Bayelsa State, noting the contrast with the state’s former reputation for militancy and insecurity.
“We want to give kudos to the Bayelsa State Government for the projects it has embarked upon and for the general peaceful atmosphere of the state as we have seen it,” he stated.
He said the developments witnessed during the tour demonstrated that the state was making progress in infrastructure, peace and democratic governance.
The South-South NUJ Vice Chairman was accompanied on the tour by members of the zonal and state executives, including the Zonal Secretary, Dr. John Agose; National Trustee, Comrade Gabriel Ekaidem; Ex-Officio, Comrade Felix Igbekoyi; Chairman, NUJ Bayelsa Council, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha; Chairman, NUJ Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade John Nsibiet; Chairman, NUJ Delta Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe; Edo State Secretary, Comrade Andy Egbon; Delta State Acting Secretary, Comrade Josephine Imordior; Akwa Ibom Secretary, Comrade Esenowo; Bayelsa State Secretary, Comrade Aqua Akpuruku; Rivers State Secretary, Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia; Chairman, NUJ Rivers Council, Comrade Paul Bazia; and other practising journalists, including this reporter and EMTV News anchor, Comrade Robinson Ere Erebi.
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