With No Finished FIFA Projects, ex-NFF Top Guns Hit Liberia To Unveil Stadium

With No Finished FIFA Projects, ex-NFF Top Guns Hit Liberia To Unveil Stadium

By Niyi Busari

Two-term serving former President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick joined the Liberia Football Federation and the president of Liberia, George Weah on Friday 28th April to commission FIFA funded projects in Monrovia.

FIFA, in a bid to develop the sport across the globe gave all member Associations including NFF funds called FIFA Forward 1.0, which started in 2016 ended in 2019 before FIFA Forward 2.0 commenced with improved funds.

In 2020, Pinnick, who replaced Aminu Maigari in September 2014, confirmed on his official twitter handle the receipt of first payment from $2.3m budgeted for building two major projects (two stadiums) in Ugborodo community, Warri, Delta State and Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Abandoned Ugborodo community stadium in Warri, Delta State.

Pinnick also said at the laying of foundation of the stadium in Ugborodo that the two stadiums would be commissioned in March 2021, which is yet to be finished till date.

While Morocco, South Africa, Cameroon (among other African countries) and now Liberia have showcased the projects they used the funds for on FIFA website same cannot be said of Nigeria, where Pinnick who represented FIFA on Friday in Monrovia could not commission any project after eight years in office as president of NFF.

Despite confirmation of receipt of $2.3m from FIFA by the NFF General Secretary, Sanusi Mohammed to construct two stadiums, with both stadiums are yet to be commissioned till date since launched in September 2020.

BSN Sports can authoritatively report that the Birnin Kebbi Stadium is about 50% complete while Ugborodo Stadium has been abandoned. BSN Sports checks revealed that the Birnin Kebbi stadium has one of the pavilion completed which consists of 250 seats in a 1,000 stadium capacity, while the floodlights have not fixed, the dressing rooms, toilet which are part of the contracts are yet to be completed.

However, the tabloid can confirm that the pitch, one side of the spectators stand and goal posts on the turf have been fixed.

On the other hand, the much talked about Ugborodo stadium has been abandoned without sign of possible date for completion despite the contractor received millions of Naira.

While the new head office of Liberia Football Federation which cost USD 1.5m, owned by the LFA since its foundation in 1936 and will act as the nerve centre of Liberian football as well as providing administrative services and hosting refereeing activities. It will also serve as a venue for all national team training camps in every age group.

Meanwhile, back home in Nigeria, the FIFA Council member who received FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 fundings as NFF President for eight years could not complete any FIFA funded project despite confirming receipts.