The Unfinished Stadium: A Tale of Disputes and Delays
The construction of the FIFA Forward 2.0 Stadium in Ugborodo, Delta State, has become a subject of controversy, with the contractor, Monimichele Sports Infrastructure Limited, blaming the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the project’s abandonment.
In an interview on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred” programme, Ebi Egbe, the CEO of Monimichele Limited, stated that he did not abandon the project but left when the NFF ceased funding it. This claim comes in response to the NFF’s recent statement asserting that the contract was terminated due to the project’s non-completion.
Egbe accused the NFF of breaking their agreement, claiming that the federation had planned for the project to fail from the beginning. He emphasized that the NFF stopped providing funds three years ago, making it impossible to continue the work without the remaining balance of the contract.
Financial Disputes and Allegations
According to Egbe, he has only been paid $500,000 for the FIFA Forward 2.0 project, which he argues is insufficient to complete the stadium. He pointed out that his company has invested more than $500,000 in construction and has equipment worth over ₦250 million left to rot in Ugborodo for the past three years.
Egbe also alleged that the NFF received $1.2 million from FIFA for the project, which was meant to support grassroots football, yet refused to pay him. He claimed that he is owed $700,000 and criticized the NFF for what he described as lies to the Nigerian public.
He further stated that the NFF taxed the $500,000 he was paid to start the project. “Do you know I was taxed on the $500,000 by the NFF? I have the documents to prove it,” he said, adding that this practice was unfair and added to the financial burden on his company.
FIFA’s Role in the Project
As part of FIFA’s Forward 2.0 infrastructure support programme, the Ugborodo stadium project is one of several designed to improve football development across member nations. FIFA provides funding for the construction of pitches, training centres, and administrative buildings for member federations.
The projects in Ugborodo and Kebbi have drawn significant attention due to the manner in which they were executed. The ongoing disputes surrounding these projects have prompted the lower chamber of the National Assembly to establish a subcommittee to investigate how the NFF has managed the funding of such initiatives in the country.
Ongoing Investigations and Lack of Official Response
As of last night, there has been no official response from the NFF regarding the claims made by the Monimichele CEO. The situation remains unresolved, with both parties presenting conflicting narratives about the project’s status and financial management.
The allegations raised by Egbe highlight the complexities involved in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those involving international organizations and local contractors. The case of the Ugborodo stadium serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in such endeavors.