The House of Representatives’ sports committee has raised concerns with the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan-Enoh, over the allocation of N2.65 billion in the 2024 budget. The money is earmarked for various projects at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, including solar streetlights, perimeter fencing, and repairs to the stadium’s roof and steel structure.
During a meeting with the committee, Chairman Hon. Kabiru Amadu asked the minister to explain the budget allocations and the ministry’s achievements. He pointed out that the minister had only discussed the challenges faced by the ministry without mentioning any progress made in the past year. Senator Owan-Enoh responded by saying the budget is still being implemented and highlighted his efforts to bring life back to the stadium, which had been neglected in the past.
The minister also listed his achievements, such as securing approval for the concession of the National Stadium in Lagos and the passage of the National Anti-Doping Bill. Despite overseeing a disappointing performance by Team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the country failed to win any medals, Owan-Enoh expressed pride in these initiatives.
