JUST IN: Rivers Govt Stops Wike From Utilizing Port Harcourt Stadium, Provides Causes
The Rivers State Authorities has defined why the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt was not made out there for a political occasion linked to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The federal government stated studies claiming it blocked using the stadium for the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors aren’t true. It described the claims as “false and deceptive” and pushed by politics.
Officers of the state authorities stated the stadium is at the moment underneath main reconstruction and is unsafe for public use.
The difficulty began after the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, alleged that the state authorities denied his group entry to the stadium for its inauguration ceremony.
Akawor made the declare on Friday whereas addressing supporters at an occasion held on the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt after the stadium couldn’t be used.
The allegation was later repeated by Nyesom Wike on the identical occasion. He warned that if the group is denied entry to the stadium once more, supporters would pressure their manner in to make use of the power.
Following the remarks, the Rivers State Authorities invited journalists to examine the stadium to point out its present situation.
Talking after the inspection, the Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Info and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, stated the claims had no foundation.
He defined that giant elements of the stadium are nonetheless underneath development and can’t safely host any gathering.
In line with him, each the pitch and spectator sections are present process intensive work and pose severe dangers to human life.
Sirawoo stated no accountable authorities would enable individuals to enter a facility that’s nonetheless being rebuilt.
He urged political leaders to place the security of Rivers residents above private or social gathering pursuits.
Sirawoo additionally warned towards turning public questions of safety into political battles, including that politics shouldn’t override widespread sense.
He stated Governor Siminalayi Fubara stays centered on the event of the state and isn’t working towards President Bola Tinubu, opposite to claims circulating in political circles.
The Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Inexperienced, who additionally serves as Lawyer-Common of the state, stated his ministry by no means obtained any official request from the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to make use of the stadium.
He burdened that any organisation looking for to make use of authorities services should comply with correct procedures.
Inexperienced added that the accusation towards the federal government was unfounded, particularly for the reason that occasion was ultimately held at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, which can also be owned by the Rivers State Authorities.
He stated this truth alone reveals that the federal government didn’t try to frustrate the pro-Tinubu group.
The positioning engineer dealing with the reconstruction work, Michael Ebitenye, additionally spoke through the inspection.
He warned that permitting individuals into the stadium now may injury key buildings and endanger lives.
Ebitenye stated underground pipes beneath the pitch might be destroyed by heavy human motion.
He added that some sections of the stadium, together with VIP areas, are unsafe and will trigger accidents if accessed.
The engineer stated the development firm, Monimichelle, wouldn’t allow any occasion contained in the stadium whereas work continues to be ongoing.
In line with him, opening the power at this stage would quantity to risking lives, no matter who’s organising the occasion.
The Rivers State Authorities insisted that its resolution was based mostly strictly on security and never politics.
It urged the general public to disregard claims suggesting that the motion was focused at any particular person or political group.