The Federal Government, yesterday, dismissed claims by a sports facility company, United Logistics, that the Ministry of Sports has sidelined it after preparing and supplying materials for the rehabilitation of the National Stadium, Lagos.
United Logistics, at the weekend, accused the Federal Ministry of Sports of re-awarding the contract for the installation of the electronics scoreboard and laying of the tartan tracks at the National Stadium, Lagos, to an ‘inferior’ company despite the enormous resources made available for the project by the financier, Premier Lotto.
United Logistics also alleged that it was contracted by the Federal Government to procure tracks for the renovation of the stadium, which it perfectly delivered in good condition.
It added that it was getting ready to start laying the tracks and installing the scoreboard when it learnt that the government had re-awarded the job to another company.
But, the Ministry of Sports, yesterday, in a statement denied having anything to do with the firm.
The statement by Toyin Ibitoye, who is a special assistant to Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, said the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development does not know United Logistics.
The statement reads: “The company is unknown to the Federal Government on this project and has no contractual relationship with them as claimed.”
It challenged the company to present any contractual papers or agreements it has with the ministry to prove its claims.
“This is a privately sponsored rehabilitation work. The sponsor chose a lead contractor it has been working with. The funding is 100 per cent handled by the sponsor. Not the Federal Government.
“The sponsors, Premier Lotto, are in charge of all procurement and contracting,” it said.
Earlier, the Acting Director, Facilities of the ministry, Okedairo Olatunji, had accused United Logistics of misplacing its complaints.
According to Olatunji, the renovation of the National Stadium, Lagos, is a product of the ministry’s adopt-a-facility programme, with Premier Lotto as the financier.
“It is not the business of the ministry to query our benefactor on his choice of contractor.
“Premier Lotto, in its magnanimity, is helping Nigeria to restore the National Stadium to its normal state after years of neglect. So, it has the right to employ any company it deems fit for the job.
“We are grateful to Premier Lotto for its gesture,” he said.
