A'Ibom Govt Procures 20,000 Jerseys for S'Eagles Fans

Okon Bassey in Uyo
The national colours will be prominent at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as the State Government had procured 20, 000 jerseys for distribution to football fans as part of support for the Super Eagles in this weekend’s World Cup qualifier.

Chairman of the Publicity sub -committee of the LOC, Mr Nse Edem who briefed newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday said the committee chaired by Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Etekamba Umoren also include a medical, security, accommodation and marketing and would be coordinated by veteran sports journalist, Paul Bassey.

According to him, the LOC has put in place measures to ensure that lapses observed in the last AFCON qualifier against Tanzania also played in Uyo do not reoccur.

His words, “As far as we are concerned there will be no excuses for failure because we have learnt our lessons from the last AFCON qualifier played in Uyo and we have put every arrangement in place to ensure they don’t reoccur again,” he remarked.

Edem who is also the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Youths and Sports said sales of ticket commences today (Wednesday) at designated places in the state and would also be made available to fans in other parts of the country.

He assured that 200 stewards have been mobilised to ensure the safety of fans while the supporters clubs of local teams in the state would also be mobilised to compliment the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

“As far as Akwa Ibom state is concerned there will be no margin for errors for this weekend’s qualifier and we are confident that Uyo will host all the Super Eagles home matches for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers”, he added.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has review the 10 years maintenance contract of the Stadium with Julius.

Immediate past administration of the state under Godswill Akpabio had signed the 10 years contract with Julius Berger for the maintenance of facilities in the ultra-modern stadium.

Former Commissioner for Special Duties in the state, Mr. Etido Inyang who disclosed this explained that it became expedient for Governor to review the 10 year maintenance contract with the foremost construction company in view of the prevailing economic down turn.

Inyang, who was in charge of Technical Matters when the stadium was built, said government is currently re-negotiating the contract terms for “the engagement to be year by year”, blaming the dwindling resources accruing to the State for the government action.

He stressed that due to paucity of fund the maintenance of the stadium turf and other vital areas like the tartan tracks would be handled by Jthe company, while the general cleaning of the stadium has been contracted out to the locals.

Inyang stated that the stadium has been put to its best look with lighting and other facilities properly fixed for the Saturday’s game with Algeria and enjoined fans to go out en-masse to support the Super Eagles to victory.