Warri City Stadium was built in the year 2001 by the Chief James Ibori administration alongside six other mini stadia in the three Senatorial districts.
The one of Warri cost the State a whooping N434 Million. It was meant to provide the required conducive environment for the upcoming talents that abound in Warri and its environs. It harbours the main bowl, a training pitch and a gigantic Swimming pool.
However, the Stadium, which has hosted many international events, was not up to standard befitting a city like Warri in all ramifications. It is a city that lays the golden egg and should boast of a world class Stadium.
To confirm that assertion, the Stadium failed FIFA test when it mattered most in 2009. That was the year FIFA delegates led by Jack Warner exposed the cut and nail Stadium. It was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Against all expectations, the Stadium was disqualified from hosting the U- 17 World Cup.
It was a day that Deltans would never forget. We had finished inspecting the hotels and Clinics and were looking forward to a good day when Jack Warner struck. As if he had a pre knowledge of the state of the Stadium, the man went straight to the pitch, packed the dust, squeezed it and promptly left the place. That was the end of the dream and all efforts to convince him that they would perform magic after the visit fell on deaf ear. It was glaring that the pitch was water logged and to Jack Warner, no need to inspect the remaining places in the Stadium.
The excreta from the pitch to him has touched every other area. The hope of a State was shattered. To those who are familiar with the terrain, the contractor did a bad job with no route for the water to flow out. They did not do anything to protect the facilities. The main bowl was like Ojuelegba in Lagos and in the words of late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, “ Motor, people dey come from right, People dey come from left, confusion break bone….”
Prior to that visit, an Editor with a Lagos based newspaper in an unshakable manner condemned the design of the Stadium especially the Pillars which obstruct viewers whenever an event is on. Many people did not like what he wrote but it was the bitter truth. So many things were indeed wrong with the construction of the Stadium. Even the flood lights never played its roles till today. Call it a tragedy and you will not be prosecuted.
For years, the situation did not change and no clear road map for the maintenance. Warri Wolves who use the place as their home ground could not find their bearing. On so many occasions, the team had to abandoned their matches as a result of the water logged pitch with extra cost. The Officials of the team armed with pumping machines had to go the extra miles by removing water before, during and after mathes. It was a pitiable scenario.
In 2003, the Governor Okowa led administration awarded the contract for the renovation which was stopped by the present administration.
In February, 2024, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gladdened the heart of Sports lovers when he declared that his administration was planning to revamp the Warri City Stadium into a World Class Sports facility. “ We are working on revamping the Warri Stadium. They are already working on the designs and once the designs are ready, we will complete up with a very standard Stadium that will be one of the best in this Country when completed”.
No doubt, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an apostle of what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. He believes that every single kobo must be judiciously used
This is the crux of this epistle. Warri City Stadium, matters arising. While we are still waiting for the Contractor to be unveiled, sources confirmed that expatriates have been vising the place and carrying out assessment of the area. Kudos must therefore go to the Governor that in line with his MORE Agenda, he has done well in this area. The onus now rest on the would be Contractor to live up to expectations with close monitoring. The issue of the drainage must be well tackled and well-structured in such a way that it can empty the water in a matter of seconds. The pitch, preferably natural grass must be higher than the tartan tracks. This is the biggest headache.
Another area which require serious attention are the gates to the main bowl. It should be constructed in such a way that you cannot go in without the permission of the staff. The place as it is now allows ever dick and goats to do anything and go free. There are people who have turned the main bowl to the residence and pass excreta anywhere it suits them. It is not like that in modern Stadia and must not be allowed. The training pitch should also be included to give the main bowl enough reasons to breath.
One of the major problems we are facing is lack of maintenance. It is very serious. You need to take a look at the mini Stadium in other cities to lend credence to my fear. The Government should as a matter of fact include the maintenance in the Contract for at least 10 years and may be train people on how to carry out periodic maintenance.
