By Admin
The Ekiti State Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD) has raised concerns over the quality of some components of the ongoing renovation and construction works at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, calling for urgent corrective measures to ensure compliance with approved specifications and engineering standards.
The concerns were raised during a joint inspection of the project conducted by OTSD in collaboration with the Bureau of Special Projects (BSP), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Independent Projects Monitoring Office (IPMO) and the Ekiti State Sports Council.
The inspection, which took place on September 30, was led by the Special Adviser and Director-General of OTSD, Engr. John Ekundayo.
The team assessed various components of the project to determine the level of execution and the quality of work delivered so far.
During the inspection, the representative of the contractor, United Logistics Building Structures, Architect Moyo Osebanjo, briefed the team on the progress of the project and other aspects of the ongoing works.
However, following a physical assessment of the facilities, the inspection team identified several areas that it said required urgent attention and corrective action.
Among the major concerns was the athletics track, which the team described as poorly executed and unsuitable for sporting activities in its current condition.
The team also raised concerns over the steel roof truss supporting the seating terrace and spectators’ stand, saying its adequacy for the intended structural load required further review to guarantee structural stability and public safety.
Similarly, the AstroTurf installed on the football pitch was found not to appear compliant with the required specifications and quality standards, with the team observing noticeable signs of premature wear.
The inspection team further noted that some other aspects of the project required additional attention to ensure conformity with the approved designs, specifications, relevant engineering standards and best practices.
Reacting to the findings, Ekundayo expressed concern over the quality of some components of the project and directed that appropriate corrective measures be taken.
The team recommended that the AstroTurf on the football pitch be completely removed and replaced with a durable, standard-compliant product in line with the approved specifications.
It also recommended the complete removal and replacement of the existing overlay/track surface with a new athletics track of appropriate quality and standard suitable for sporting activities.
On the spectators’ stand, the team called for a professional review of the design and structural adequacy of the steel roof truss to ascertain its stability, safety and compliance with approved design requirements.
The inspection team further directed that necessary quality-control and engineering tests be conducted on relevant project components and materials to establish their conformity with prescribed standards and specifications.
It also asked the contractor to address all defects identified in the project’s snag list and complete outstanding construction activities in accordance with approved specifications, applicable standards and best engineering practices.
