WINDSTORM DAMAGES PAVILION AT LAFIAGI STADIUM IN KWARA

A heavy windstorm has damaged part of the pavilion at the nearly completed Lafiagi Stadium in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident occurred on Thursday and has raised concerns among residents about the safety and structural condition of the facility ahead of its completion and handover.

The affected section of the stadium suffered significant damage, with residents expressing concern that the incident could delay the project. An estimated 15 per cent setback was mentioned, although the figure could not be independently verified.

A youth and sports development advocate from Edu, Aliyu Isa Edu, called for a comprehensive structural and safety assessment of the facility.

He said qualified professionals should determine whether the windstorm alone caused the damage or whether other factors involving the design, materials or construction contributed to the incident.

Edu urged the Kwara State Sports Commission, relevant government ministries, engineering authorities and other stakeholders to inspect the pavilion, roofing system, steelwork, anchoring and other components of the facility.

He also called for any corrective work to follow approved engineering specifications and for independent professionals to certify the affected structures before spectators are allowed to use the stadium.

The advocate warned that the consequences could have been more serious if the structural damage had occurred while the facility was hosting a large crowd.

The Kwara State Emergency Management Agency said it was not aware of the incident when contacted, while efforts to obtain comments from the state government were unsuccessful.

The Lafiagi Stadium rehabilitation is a Kwara State Government project under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The contractor handling the project could not be independently confirmed as of press time.