₦airaland Forum

Akwafinaaa: Ok Guys, the Gov actually said the cost of the Stadium complex was N60 billion last week on a Super Sport Documentary about the Uyo stadium, however he also said that the contract involves Julius Berger maintaining the stadium for the next 10 years so that it does not end the way of the other stadia in the country. So lets calm down, I am an Akwa Ibomite of Annang extraction. Cheers all

where is your evidence? can you put the youtube video of the super sport clip?

kipesco: Rivers State has one too

yeah i hear that rivers state is also building a stadium with a 26,000 capacity , but the problem is no one sees images of the Rivers state stadium? can you please post the image of the Port harcourt stadium?

Eyop: Your/my governor is the agent of darkness. Smh so Akpabio is the man with good name? By the way,what part of AKS are you from if i may ask?

the part that dont spread false rumour against thy neighbour.

Marcelinho: I want ,to believe he as read this!!

my brother abeg no mind the rumour monger. fools like them run when confronted with the truth.

Atouke: @Jazzydee has provided two concrete links from 2 credible national dailies putting the cost of the stadium at N16bn. incase you missed them : http://community.vanguardngr.com/profiles/blogs/will-akpabio-end-stronger-1
http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/11/the-essence-of-akwa-ibom-olympic-stadium/

where is your own proof of the N62b? O boy you be rumor monger we don catch you today o!

Lol this is how agents of darkness like eyop rubbish peoples good name through false rumour.

Heres another proof of the stadium cost from vanguard newspaper :
The remaining two years of any politician’s leadership would have been a time to front for personal gains not indulging in projects with capital expenditure, but the reverse is the case with Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio,CON. It may come as a surprise to many but not his followers like me because during the 2012 democracy day celebration, Governor Akpabio vowed to finished stronger, today that has manifested in the gigantic projects before him which each impact is of economic value to Akwa Ibom State. The first in that realm is a Seaport which is the anchor project to the State’s industrialization; the Ibaka Deep Sea Port project in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, which the Federal Government had given approval, will cost about $2 billion to achieve and 2015 dateline has been marked for its inauguration. The port industrial components are construction of supply boats for offshore oil operations, fabrication of offshore lifting cranes, maintenance and repair, production of wet christmas trees ,supply of subsea manifolds, construction of oil platform jackets for oil production systems, dry docking for oil installations offshore, FPSO fabrication and Ibaka Liquefied Natural Gas Plant which would process for export the voluminous associated gas from the extensive offshore gas production in the eastern Niger Delta. It is conceived as a viable gas export activity at this deep seaport. The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, few days ago said that the assessments of existing facilities, business opportunities and technical scope of Ibaka Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom have been concluded.Umar told newsmen in Abuja that other issues so far addressed included the challenges, vision, commercial rationale and operational status of the project.“The second stage which is the outlining of the business and the procurement process report is to be concluded before the end of June,’’ he stressed. The minister said that the progress made so far had resulted in the appointment of a Transaction Adviser for the project. He said the adviser had submitted the Initial Due Diligence Report to the Project’s Steering Committee for the Development of the Seaport, which was inaugurated on Sept. 1, 2012. “The Initial Due Diligence Report is to verify the project’s initial feasibility – from financial, technical and legal perspectives – and to design a structured approach to subsequent phases,’’ he said. According to Umar, the submitted report is in line with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act. The minister reiterated the ministry’s total commitment to the development of ports’ infrastructure in the country. The Minister made it known that the commencement of the project by Akwa Ibom State /Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with the private sector will commence in the last quarter of 2013. The Akwa Ibom State Olympic Stadium under construction will be completed in December this year,Project Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the project, Mr. Chustan Lerche, gave the deadline Lerche, disclosed that the stadium, on completion, would have 36 exits and that the main bowl would be capable of draining out flood water 20 minutes after a heavy downpour. He also disclosed that the main playing pitch would be made of natural grass to conform with international standard, since artificial pitch is not acceptable. Olympic Size stadium is with a sitting capacity of 30,000 and costs 16billion naira. Ibom Tropicana entertainment centre was conceived through the vision of Chief (Dr,) Godswill Akpabio, to impact positively on the Socio-economic lives of the people of the State. The centre which will boost the Structural landscape of the State was created in the image of Sun City of South Africa and the famous Dysney land in Orlando, Florida, USA. The Ibom Tropicana and Entertainment centre is a revenue generating outlet of government which will also create job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths of the State. The multi-million naira centre which has commenced operation in some sections, sits on a landmass of 82 hectares with the following facilities: shopping mall with 59 standard shops, and 2 Bank service corridors etc. Cineplex which houses 6 screen cinema halls with a seat capacity of 1030, has commenced operation, An Ultra-modern convention centre with a multi-floor capacity of 500, a 15 storey five star hotel with 250 exquisite rooms, a Theme Park with various Dry and Wet Rides/Attractions covering an area of 3 hectares. Two and half years ago Chief Godswill Akpabio had signed a N33 billion contract agreement with Silverbird Showtime Limited for the construction of the Centre. The Cineplex which is in used for about two years now has given job to about 2000 people as movies premiere and musical shows have been setting the place agog with tourists and fun seekers and recently Governor Godswill Akpabio expressed satisfaction with the contractors handling the Theme Park of the Tropicana Entertainment Centre in Uyo, saying the project would be completed in December this year another component which anchors the water park. Akwa Ibom Government and Hilton Worldwide Group have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the management of Uyo Hilton Garden, one of the component of the centre. During the signing ceremony Mr. Cooper said he was delighted to sign the management agreement of the hotel with the state government which would be a model in Africa. Cooper, accompanied by Louis Misford in-charge of Development and Technical Drawings, Mark Martin Volick in-charge of Specification and Arc.Paul Ladiga, Lead Architect of the group, hinted that Hilton Group has 3,999 hotels worldwide with Uyo Hilton Gardens making up 4,000, assuring to keep to the terms of agreement. The building which is undergoing its last phase of beautification and furnishing would also be handed over to Hilton Group not later than the first quarter of next year. The Government of Akwa Ibom State is spending the sum of 12 billion naira to establish a Mega Specialist Hospital in Uyo the State Capital in its effort to stem the trend of seeking medical care abroad by its people as well as other Nigerians. When completed, the Hospital will have a capacity of over 290 beds as well as 60 VIP wards, 6 operation theaters, MRI and CT scan sections, virology laboratory and modular theaters. The feasibility study on the project was done by Germany based medical company, the Rappmannsberger Rehle and Partner (RRP) International Hospital Planners Pte Ltd and some Nigerian consulting companies. The Hospital also has an elaborate staff quarters which is located behind the main Hospital complex for the housing of 60 major international consultants and top management staff. In addition, the hospital is to have a services building for the kitchen, laundry and nursing training institute which is to be incorporated into the structure. When the Hospital becomes operational, more than 70 percent of the take-off staff will be those who have international experience and that they would be backed up by local staff, the project is now at 75 per cent completed Akpabio says “the vision is to have a centre of excellence, a hospital with the most modern facilities in Nigeria; the best equipped in Nigeria. And he would take it a step further and ensure that the hospital partners with one of the leading hospitals around the world in terms of management, because he wants to stop Nigerians from flying to India, to Dubai and to countries in Europe anytime they have medical challenges. So Akwa Ibom State even in terms of medical needs will become a destination for all Nigerians and even for other countries in Africa. Moving towards the goal of sustainability requires fundamental changes in human attitudes and behaviour. Progress in this direction is thus critically dependent on education, infrastructure and public awareness. We must move ahead now, in a spirit of exploration and experimentation and with the broadest possible range of partners, so as to contribute through infrastructure building to correcting trends that could jeopardize our common future. Chief Godswill Akpabio CON has brought uncommon transformation to the people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians at large, he vowed to finish stronger and that can been seen in the plethora of projects he is embarking without considering the limited time remaining . When a man’s vision is his mission, there is nothing that will stand between him and the accomplishment of his vision. Governor Akpabio has made his word an order he must obey at all cost from the beginning of his administration till date, that is why the people call him the promise keeper; he has made his vision his mission that is why his success is uncommon today. In the edition which may not be the concluding edition , we will attempt to examine most of the industrial projects on course and those to commission to bear. Akpabio is a man who will stop at nothing except Akwa Ibom State moves from being a pedestrian State to a destination for all.
http://community.vanguardngr.com/profiles/blogs/will-akpabio-end-stronger-1

Atouke: where then is your proof of the N62bn.stadium cost

My brother dont mind the coward, he is doing what rumour mongers do when confronted with the truth. RUN

Eyop: You created this thread and you are definitely in support of Akpabio whether good or bad. I don't have the time to exchange words with you & like i said,i rest my case.

rumor monger and a coward like you http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/11/the-essence-of-akwa-ibom-olympic-stadium/ heres a link to the newspaper article roporting the cost of the stadium at N16bn where is your N62bn proof.

Eyop: Like i said you won't understand and there's no point arguing with you. Do you know that the cost of Uyo Stadium according to the uncommon looter is #62Billion? Normally this shouldn't be more than #3.5Billion. And for your information,i am an insider and i know what's going on.

now mr insider prove to us where the governor said the stadium will cost N62b. I have shown you proof in the above newspaper report of the N16bn which is the cost of the stadium stop spreading rumours di is God O!

now mr insider prove to us where the governor said the stadium will cost N62b. stop spreading rumours di is God O!

Eyop: Like i said you won't understand and there's no point arguing with you. Do you know that the cost of Uyo Stadium according to the uncommon looter is #62Billion? Normally this shouldn't be more than #3.5Billion. And for your information,i am an insider and i know what's going on.

ince her creation in 1987, it is trite to say that Akwa Ibom State has not benefited from any significant economic boom through national or international sporting activities hosted by the Nigerian Government. The apparent limitation has been a gross lack of facilities in hosting such sporting activities. The major sporting edifice in the state, the Uyo township stadium before Governor Godswill Akpabio did not even have a sitting facility or have an internationally acceptable grassing to host football events. The only activity which the township stadium was known for hosting was the Mobil track and field games. But with the advent of the Akpabio administration, the stadium experienced a face lift, the terraces were fixed and the state box was upgraded to an appreciable standard. The quality of the field and the dressing rooms has improved, likewise the track and field facilities.

As a man of vision, Governor Akpabio stepped on the plate knowing the sports sector in the State had suffered from perennial economic deprivation. As a result of the absence of funding in the sector, the State was never considered in the past to host important tournaments because lack of good sporting facilities. To make the difference, Governor Akpabio deemed it fit to propose the building of an Olympic sized stadium in the State.

In many countries of the world, Governments spend large amounts of public money to attract sporting events or host teams to their domain. This chapter begins an exploration of public policy decisions regarding investments in sports by laying a foundation that focuses on the economic impacts of stadiums, teams, and events. This focus provides an essential grounding for the evaluation of public investment decisions that are often framed in the context of economic development policy. And this has turned around the fortunes of many countries and private entrepreneurs who are involved in such investment around the world.

The expenditure of public money on sport facilities and events is an international phenomenon that occurs at every level of government. The government of Portugal spent $732 million to host Euro 2004, the European soccer championship. Public money paid for the construction of seven new stadiums in a country about the size of the state of Indiana. Portugal’s spending paled in comparison with the cost associated with the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. To prepare for the event, various Japanese localities built 7 new stadiums and renovated 3 others at a cost of $4.5 billion. South Korea spent $2 billion on 10 new facilities.

Olympic spending dwarfs even these figures. The Greek government spent $12.8 billion to hold the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, and the Chinese government invested over $43 billion for the Beijing Games in 2008 . Cities take on construction projects long before they are awarded host status.

Recent spending on stadiums for top-level professional teams has generated a great deal of attention. Between 2000 and 2009, 31 major-league stadiums and arenas opened across urban America at a public cost of approximately $8 billion. And in measuring the indices of profits and job creation, let’s take the China Olympics for a case study, The total spending of the Beijing Olympics is at par with that of the 2004 Athens Games. We’re able to exceed the original target as the sponsors were so good,” said Jiang, “the Games made a profit of at least $ 16 million USD after deducting $ 1.609 bn USD of spending from the income of $ 1.625 bn USD and created jobs for over a million people. After the event, the stadium’s annual income stands at 11 million USD and the jobs provided stood at six hundred thousand.

The Akwa Ibom State Olympic Stadium under construction with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, as the contractor handling the project, on completion would have 36 exits and that the main bowl would be capable of draining out flood water 20 minutes after a heavy downpour. The main turf would be made of natural grass to conform with international standards, since artificial pitch is neither desirable nor acceptable. The Akwa Ibom Olympic Sized stadium has a sitting capacity of 30,000 and costs 16 billion naira and will provide jobs to five thousand people. This stadium complex sits upon a massive 32 hectares of land. The main bowl will consist of a 4-tier terrace seating arrangement, all covered, there will be two parking lots and access; VIP and bus parking areas, VIP access and public access, coffee-shops, shops, restaurants and banquet-hall. As well as eight-lane 400metres standard track including complete athletics facilities in the segment of the field. Coming in three levels, the grand stand area will accommodate the Very Very Important Person (VVIP) and Very Important Person (VIP) Lounges. Other facilities within the Grand Stand Area, especially level 1 are team changing rooms, collective changes rooms, offices, meeting room for team meetings, administrative and technical services as well as covered parking spaces. Essentially, the level also accommodates a natural ventilated entrance lobby for VVIP guest while Level II within the grand area accommodates the VVIP reception area viewing lounges, catering service and conveniences. While level III is dedicated for public spectators of grand stand west and their respective service facilities.

In the levels, there are also provisions for entrances to the East Stand and curves. The concourses include toilets, first aid stations and stairs to the upper levels. There are kiosks for spectators’ food and beverage facilities, facilities for the spectators for the upper tier seating including toilets and kiosks as well as a service concourse to the upper tier seating.

The stadium will be enclosed by a white triangular shaped out skin that wraps around the entire stands area made of acrylic glass. The façade of the Grand Stand, which is also of acrylic glass, are of vertical panels. During matches or event nights, the façade of the Grand Stand will be illuminated in various colours.

Governor Akpabio says the stadium will be ready in 2014. By December next year, ‘’we should be jumping in the new stadium. The stadium is being handled by world class Construction Company. The design is such that it brings it in line with international standard. We also brought in an innovation; we have an entertainment hall per floor within stadium. We also included Banquet Hall. The reason we’re doing that is that we want the stadium to be functional all year round, not only when we have football matches. It would also help the stadium management to generate internal revenue because as people make use of the hall for events, seminars or retreats and all that, they’re also paying money to the stadium management. What we’re putting up is the first of its kind in Africa and that’s why it’s uncommon’’ he concluded.

The Olympic sized Stadium will present to sport lovers a place to relish live international tournaments. And henceforth, anytime any tournament will be hosted by the Nigerian Nation, Akwa Ibom State will not be deprived the benefits and money that such events will bring to Nigeria.

Apart from the economic boom through sporting activities, the Stadia will also provide arena for human empowerment through sport development, as youngsters will be discovered in different sectors of Sport and become professionals, earning a living from their talents. Apart from the creation of over five thousand jobs for daily staffers, the stadium will provide two hundred thousand jobs during major tournaments. The stadium is constructed with a left over space for periodic expansion, the foundation of the site can be expand to sixty thousand sitting capacity, so every other department of the stadium can be expanded to double their capacity. Governor Akpabio’s tag team designed this stadium with deep insight and vision, leaving room for expansion as it is the international best practice.

The main bowl of the stadium is at 75 percent completion now. There is strong assurances from the the construction firm , Julius Berger that the project will be handed over to the government and good people of Akwa Ibom State by the last quarter of 2014 .

In all, it is difficult to measure the economic benefits of a project as massive as the Akwa Ibom Olympic Stadium, especially if one views it in terms of very simple equations responding to specific challenges. A vivid illustration is like viewing a new road that connects an industrial development to a new port. It would be hard to justify the efficacy of the project measured simply by time saved in traffic. But take a wider view of increased productivity, exports and jobs, and it becomes clear that such a road actually provides exceptional value.

Governor Akpabio has set agenda of economic prioritisation. He knows that building infrastructure will strengthen and increase the economy of the State, provide jobs and yield more revenues to the State through direct and indirect taxation. The Akwa Ibom Olympic Stadium is one of such infrastructure, which will bring about the economic rejuvenations of the State’s economy and empower the people through sports development. It is indeed laudable.
http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/11/the-essence-of-akwa-ibom-olympic-stadium/

Itydee: PDP Odudu. Akpabio you have tried. People claim you have stolen money, at least you eat it alone and share it amongst your brethren instead of using it to fund APC just like some idiot in Rivers State is doing.

Build the roads ooooo. Please Complete Eket Etinan Road Dualization as well as Etinan Ekom Iman Road Dualization. Then we shall worship and support whoever you anoint as a governor from EKET Senatorial district. I shall work to make it happen!!!!!!!!!! Akwa ibom Isongo OOO Anang MMa!!!! Ekid Idediongo ooooo. Ukpakip Oro Anyiii. I take God beg you!!!

are you from that area whats the level of construction on that road presently?

Eyop: Guy forget all the long list. Those that understand what i meant by 1% of the state allocation won't argue on it.

you mean those that understand the magician that Akpabio is to use one percent of allocation to achieve all he has done? Only one person used 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread to feed multitudes and we all know who that was. Gov.Akpabio is a mere mortal and not a miracle worker and hence there is no way he would accomplish all that with 1% of state allocation.
If you are critic of the governor find a new material to criticize him with for this your 1% argument is the most silly argument i have ever herd. thats a free advise.

Adesiji77: I would like to know if the project has been stopped for now or work is still ongoing (actively).

last time i was at the site some months back they were working on the second floor of the building. I dont know what the current situation is. But here is a like to the state information ministry they are very quick in responding to inquiries about their state projects you can channel your question there: https://www.facebook.com/AKSMinistryOfInformation

Eyop: Don't mind them. The governor is only using just 1% of the state Allocation for all he's doing that's why he's doing all he can to make his candidate succeed him.

1% of state Allocation is building:
-1400km of roads and counting in the state
-an international airport with MRO facility,
-A bi- campus state University,
-4000 school buildings for primary and secondary schools,
-94% coverage electification of the state,
-The Ibom E library,
-Three internationally branded hotels :The le meridien hotel and Golf resort, the Hilton and sheraton hotel in Uyo and ikot ekpene respectively,
-5 new general hospitals
-a 294 bed specialist hospital
-4 flyovers
-34 bridges
-suspended bridge at ediene Abak.
-A four star FiFA category Akwa Ibom Stadium complex
-Ibom tropicana Entertainment centre
-brand new governors office and lodge
-brand new Deputy governors lodge an office
-brand new state banquent hall
-An international purpose built govt press centre
-over 5000 rural development projects including bore holes, town halls, transformers etc
-Urban renewal and beautification projects with several breathtaking rounabouts in the state and a plaza at ikot Ekpene.
-A police and navy secondary schools built by the state government for those agencies to manage
-A 191MW gas fired power station at Ikot Abasi.
-digitalization of Akwa Ibom broadcasting coperation
-Brand new mega goss printing press and a giant warehouse and operational Hqtrs for the state owned newspaper cooperation the poineer
- etc
Akpabio must be a miracle worker or a magician to achieve all this and more projects too numerous to mention and pay all the civil servants in the state with just 1% of the state allocation.SMH

Adesiji77: What about the Convention Centre at Akwa Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Uyo?

what about it?

Akpabio is working i cant wait for the opening of this stadium.

abeltolu: Kudos to the Governor. At least he has done something reasonable with all the money he has been looting.

I have one problem tho. Why do these guys finish building but then they cannot maintain it?. A good example is the Abuja national stadium. Nigerians generally lack maintenance culture. Until we learn to maintain properly, we would keep doing unnecessary things.

This building is another waste of money.

Akwa Ibom people have a good maintenance culture be rest assured that the stadium will be well maintained.

A Must watch youtube video about the stadium construction.this was filmed in May 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPqv8U86l5Q&list=UU44hqJiIK_HYYflwAkOqAQQ

the complex is indeed a beauty.

The president did the inspection tour of the stadium while he was in Uyo to commission the $600million Uquo gas processing plant at Esit Eket LGA which has a capacity of 200million cubic ft of gas per day and is currently supplying gas to the state owned 191MW ibom power plant at Ikot AbaSi LGA and is also expected to supply gas to NIIP power stattion in Calabar and Alaoji and unicem in calabar also . The president also did the formal ground breaking of $1.5billion Jim Ovia's Quantum Petrochemical and methanol plant at Ibeno, and also commissioned the Goodluck Boulevard in Uyo.

more images of the stadium complex and other dignitaries shown around the sports complex.

The 30,000 capacity all seated and all covered Stadium under construction by julius berger is expected to open on end of sept. 2014 in time for the state anniversary celebration. Mr President was shown around the complex by the State Governor during his recent visit to the state.

Akpabio is a performing governor, commissioning of uquo gas processing plant, groundbreaking of ovias petrochemical/methanol plant and now this beautiful road too in the same day! this Gov. Too much o!

I heard he is also building one of the best stadiums in nigeria, a 294 bed specialist hospital, a suspended bridge, a hilton hotel, Ibom tropicana all to be commissioned this year.

cheruv: of course we've nothing to do with the seditious SS states.the only thing the SS needs to do is vomit the remaining 2/5ths of Igbo territories lying in the SS.as per Benue we can always negotiate with the idoma and tivs over the return of Igbo territories lying in their state.
viva regnum Biafrani

As long as you remove those erroneous yellow thread that borders the atlantic ocean in the south south region from your biafran map and stick to your 5 states boundary then you are free to form your biafran Nation. Viva Igboland baifra! I have nothing against Baifra as long as they dont cross their boundaries out of their 5 states enclave, I will gladly support it.

president arrives government house Uyo via helicopter from the Uyo airport where his jet landed. pictures credits john ekpo

pictures credits john ekpo

president Jonathan arrives Uyo Airport in style. all pictures credits john Ekpo

biafra is South East states of Abia, Enugu,Imo, ebonyi and Anambra .leave South South states out of it.

Jim Ovia is a smart guy, this petrochemical plant once completed will place him top on the list of the richest men in Nigeria. This is a huge investment this is the difference between a rich nigerian with clean money and those with looted funds, the looters invest outside the country and improve the economy of foreign land because they are trying to hide their loot. Clean bussines men like ovia, dangote, etc invest their money in the Nigerian Economy and provides jobs at home because they are not hiding anything.

this is front page material mods take note

Atouke: you are so correct. a heavy industry like a petrochemical and mrthanol plant is the foundation that will support lots of light/small industries that will convert the raw materials from the heavy industry into finished goods.
A solid industrial foundation has been laid in the state. lots of jobs on the horizon.

The good things that are beginning to happen in Akwa Ibom is a direct result of what happens when a govt. chooses to invest in infrastructures. industrialization and business follow areas with good infrastructures.