By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia , on Thursday night paid an unscheduled working visit at the main bowl of Aper Aku sports complex to assess the level of work and to get assurance that the State own football team, Lobi Stars, playing in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, will be returning to their traditional base when the season resumes.
The Governor who was accompanied by the contractor handling the job, Moni Michelle, listened attentively to the explanations of the contractor.
According to the contractor, “the remaining work to be done at Aper Aku Stadium covering the main pitch, stands, the electronic scoreboard, generators, flood lights, total renovation of the VIP stand and international-level dressing rooms for home and away teams will be completed in the next two months”.
He assured the governor that all technicians required for a thorough job. have arrived and are working to meet with the deadline.
Earlier, Gov. Alia who expressed regrets that Lobi Stars will not commence the new season at the stadium called on the contractor to expedite action and complete the work in good reasonable time.
The Pride of Benue will likely commence the prosecution of 2024/25 league season at the Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi, making it three straight seasons of home matches away from their traditional Makurdi home base.
The Governor appointed former international Onazi to be the Project supervisor, assuring that everything will be done to ensure that Lobi Stars’ return to their base in the briefest of time to prosecute the remaining season.
Supporters of Lobi Stars woke up Friday to the cheering news of the governor’s unscheduled visit to Aper Aku sports complex to coax more actions to the upgrade of facilities as required by the pro league management.
A football enthusiast and ardent Lobi Stars’ supporter, Mr. James John Vakaa, while praising the governor’s action, also called on him to ensure that the team is supported with enough finances to get good players and honour matches when the season begins.
“The situation where the team was alleged to have been going cap-in-hand looking for funds to meet its obligations, getting into massive debt, as well as non payment of salaries and match bonuses to players was indeed not good for morals in the team”. Mr. Vakaa said.
