The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development has denied the allegation that it requested the sum of N21 billion for the rehabilitation of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

A report emerged earlier this week that the Sports Ministry requested a sum of 21 Billion Naira from the government as the cost of renovating the National Stadium in Surulere.

The Sports Ministry, however, issued a statement dated April 12, 2023, and signed by the Director, of Press & Public Relations, Mohammed Manga to refute the report.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development has been drawn to a report in some sections of the media that it requested for the sum of N21 billion to rehabilitate the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

“Contrary to this report, it has become important to state clearly that the Ministry has not requested or received any such amount from the government or individual.

“The Sports and Youth Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, in an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos last week only mentioned the figure as one of the estimated amounts from the proposals received which indicates that about that sum would be needed for the complete rehabilitation and upgrade of the national edifice based on submissions made by different companies and contractors.

“The Ministry, therefore, wishes to unequivocally make this clarification for the benefit of those who may not be conversant with the due processes involved in the execution of projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government, thus; that no such request nor approvals have been made as it is all still at the process of review of proposals,” Manga said. (The Guardian)