Questions trail Kogi’s N61.4m stadium renovation claim

Fresh concerns have emerged over the reported expenditure on the renovation of the Confluence Stadium in Kogi State after a fact-finding exercise revealed that no rehabilitation work has commenced despite a budget allocation for the project.

According to findings, the Kogi State Government earmarked N120 million for the renovation of the stadium to FIFA standards in its 2024 budget, while the state’s Budget Implementation Report indicated that N61.4 million had been disbursed for the project.

However, a physical inspection of the facility found the stadium still in a deteriorating condition, with damaged spectator stands, broken seats and a poor playing surface, showing no visible signs of renovation.

Following the inspection, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was submitted to the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development seeking clarification on the reported expenditure.

In its response, the ministry stated that the N61.4 million was not spent on renovating the Confluence Stadium but was instead used to fund sports competition expenses under a different economic code.

The explanation contradicts the state’s Budget Implementation Report, which listed the amount as expenditure on the stadium renovation project, raising questions over the accuracy of public expenditure records.

The discrepancy has sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, with demands for the Kogi State Government to clarify the conflicting records, correct any inaccuracies in the budget reports and fulfil its commitment to renovate the Confluence Stadium.