How Ikom Township Stadium became a CAF-approved playing pitch

Nyok|23 April 2019 

Cross River State Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Comr Asu Okang, has given insights into the realities that surrounded how Ikom the headquarters of Central Senatorial District in the state emerged into the status of a city harbouring CAF-approved playing pitch NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered. 

This publication is unusually lengthy as Comr Okang has revealed amongst other things that commitment, zest, determination, sound thinking, were central to securing this feat. earth work, general survey, established new drainage systems on the pitch, introduction of plastic film, irrigation of the pitch, regrassing using Bahamas grass , chemical treatment, and additional three month maintenance cost was done.

His words, ‘When I assumed office as commissioner, one of the cardinal things I set myself to achieve, was to ensure the speedy completion of all ongoing projects under my ministry.

‘With the innocence of heart and euphoria like that of a first year college school boy, I assumed office with unlimited zest, poised to make a difference,… at least to proof to nay sayers, that young people could make things happen….and that we have come of age, capable of injecting every known political and economic value to the system, with independence of mind and rightness of thought. 

‘So, I woke up every morning, reminding myself, that my actions and inaction as commissioner, will to large extent, determine how many more young people will be given opportunity to serve in strategic positions of responsibility. Too many, were anxiously waiting by the corner, to quickly point to errors,as to say to the Governor “We said it…”  or 

“Your Excellency, I told you…that these boys are not ripe for leadership”.

‘So, I took some time, dedicated much of erudition to study all existing contracts entered by CRS Government under our ministry, and then, summoned all those involved and issued a white paper directing all contractors to immediately return to site. Without cash backing on pending IPCs,some obeyed while some,as expected,  feet-dragged, watching my body language,and possible reactions.

‘Well for those whom the previous administration had paid 70 to 80% and above, I was outrightly ‘ruthless’, because for me, there was NO reason why, for instance, a contractor,whose total contact sum  of 460 million Naira,and for which over 400 million had been paid, for the rehabilitation and expansion of the  swimming pool at the UJ Esuene sports stadium could not deliver on the job and was instead, ridiculously asking for upward review of contract figures midway into the project completion. Trust Governor Ayade, you can NEVER have such…and so,the contractor resorted to litigation.

‘This is one of many other such cases. 

There were cases where one particular company was awarded as many  as four to five jobs out of eleven. There was also a case of outright virement, on allround project works accross the state, not just my ministrys’, as was the case in the Okuni- Okoroba- Ekang  road project.

‘In this case,a whooping five hundred million Naira was paid to the contractor, but rather than move back to the field to continue with the work,held back the money,in lieu of the balance owed the company on Johnathan bypass, Calabar – a completely different project. Though  this project is not directly under my ministry, but that of Works, I had deep concerns because it was first, a Southern Etung road project.And trust me, I went head on against the ‘tides’.

‘Rising on a matter of urgent public interest, I drew the attention of EXCO, on the need for the state Exco to issue a statement ordering the arrest of the Chinese firm, CCECC and make them return to site or  be brought to book. I lead that debate, the item re-occurred as many as six times under matters arising on the exco order paper  untill and of course, I had support from some concerned colleagues and action taken, I succeded!….

‘The Attorney General was directed to communicate in writing, the decision of Exco and invite the team to meet with the  committee which I was a member. The details revealed even more nusiating scenarios. 

‘On the Ikom township stadium, even though I had earlier conceded to the hand over of the project,because at the time, that would be perhaps one project that CCECC required some commendation, compared to many others. Or perhaps, because I just wanted the property to be put to use having been lying fallow for a while.

But when, in 2017, I directed the management of  Rovers fc to relocate their home matches to Ikom, in order to creat activities that will have a semblance of Government presence, as calabar stadium was already too congested and the pressure on the playing turf was mounting. 

‘At the time, Eyimba FC was also playing in calabar as home alongside Pelelican Stars FC. The NNL almost frustrated the team, when the venue was declared unfit for National league matches to be played on the turf(field). And so,midway into the season,the team was forcefully relocated back to calabar,to struggle for space at the UJ Esuene stadium,not minding the cost of relocation borne by the club, under very trying circumstances.

‘I must be quick to mention here, that life returned to Ikom and indeed the Central, our then dwindling  popularity rating as a Government was boosted and I loved the feeling in the air.

‘With this development, I summoned the contractors, retracted my earlier commitment to accept the project handing over,and ordered them back to site for complete rehabilitation of the playing turf and make it fit for use, in keeping with the standards of the Nigerian National league as pre-condition for acceptance of the project. 

‘Again, with no financial commitment on the part of Government, I didn’t just direct, I moved into the field to ensure compliance with the directive and with definite timelines. A sub-contractor was hired and over 15 million Naira completely paid by CCECC. 

‘Works ranging from

-EARTH WORKS ie total removal of existing weeds & removal of unwanted laterite & cart away. 

– GENERAL SURVEY -Survey the pitch, established new levels of top soil filling, 

– ESTABLISHED NEW DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ON THE PITCH.

-INTRODUCTION OF PLASTIC Film, IRRIGATION OF THE Pitch, REGRASSING USING BAHAMAS GRASS, CHEMICAL TREATMENT, and additional three month maintenance cost was done.

‘It was one moment I needed to put my negotiation skills to test again, after my days as a salesman. It worked!

‘Today, the project is completed and ready for official handover to our ministry this week without additional  funding on the part of CRS Government but share commitment. 

‘Rovers FC can again, return to Ikom, and the original intent of rebuilding a robust  support base for the team can be achieved much easily and we can proudly say we have two CAF approved playing pitches in the state, Ikom and Calabar. 

‘Recall, that in my third message, on 27th November 2018, I had promised to publish a memoir of our humble contributions as time, opportunity and the SYSTEM ultimately allows us to operate.

‘I should think, that this can serve for the prologue of the intended memoir.’