By NELCON ODHIAMBO
The intrigues behind the Siaya County stadium project
The proposed perspective of the sh300 million Siaya County stadium awarded to Chinese contractor Jianxi international company. Photo by NELCON ODHIAMBO.
Conflicting opinions have arose following the decision of the Siaya county government to invest over 350 million shillings towards the construction of the Siaya county stadium.
The construction of the Siaya county stadium has commenced following the commissioning and handing over of the project to a Chinese Contractor ‘Jiangxi International’.
Governor Cornel Rasanga who spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony defended the construction of the stadium referring to it as his legacy.
Mr Rasanga added that the project is in line with the 2018-2022 County Integral Development Plan (CIDP) which intends to improve the wellbeing the Siaya youths by this 20,000 sitting capacity county stadium.
The Governor stated that the project is expected to be completed in the next 10 months.
“We are happy that the construction of this stadium has started we intend to have a state of the art facility in 44 weeks and it will improve the welfare of Siaya residents,” said Mr Rasanga.
Mr Rasanga who sharply castigated those opposed to the project warned politicians from politicking, backstabbing as well as making retrogressive remarks at the project in order to award the contractor ample time complete the project .
“We need in time support for the project to be completed in time, constant politicking and bickering is not needed as it will lead to loss of county funds in terms of compensating the contractor for dishonoring our agreement,” said Mr Rasanga.
He also asked the Public Management Committee (PMC) members appointed to observe the construction and ensure that the public are represented in the construction process where he asked local traders to avail their goods for purchase by the poeple constructing the stadium.
Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga during ground-breaking of the Siaya County stadium which he terms it his legacy. Photo by NELCON ODHIAMBO.
County Architect Mr Jerry Ndong’ okayed the project stating that it meets all the required international standards insisting that it sits on an 11 acre piece of land .
The engineer added that upon its completion it will achieve the status of an Olympic village which will have a quality football pitch with a sitting capacity of 20,000 people as well as an Amphitheatre where the public gathering can be conducted.
He added that the most qualified contactor was awarded the project as the tendering process followed due procedure and the most able person was awarded the tender.
“This is the way the county government should go, it will boost the county’s revenue collection as the as well as boost hotelier department,” said Mr Ndong’.
Siaya township ward MCA Mr Obiero Otare demanded that the contractor should award 90% of the casual jobs failure to which they will push for the stop of the project.
He assured the contractor and the county government of the assembly unwavering support only if they put the interest of the locals at heart.
“We are willing to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time, but this is only when all locally available materials and labour which can be sourced locally are sourced locally as a way of improving the socio economic wellbeing of the Siaya traders, failure to which will demand an explanation from the locals,” said Mr Otare.
Some dissenting voices are questioning the amount of money allocated for the project insisting that the money was enough to build a much bigger stadium.
Led by Mr James Onyango a Siaya resident questioned the rationale of constructing a less capacity stadium at a lot of cash.
“We are wondering why the county has allocated sh300 milion to construct a much smaller stadium, we need to know what is unique with this stadium compared to the Moi international stadium which costed only sh200 million,” said Mr Onyango.
Mr Chris Owala Director of Siaya County community watchdog community questioned the importance of the stadium to the common mwanachi yet the county hospitals lack drugs.
“Siaya residents need drugs more than the stadium, the Govorner shuold first address the issue of drugs shortage before enbacking on the so called legacy,” said Mr Awala in an interview at a local radio station.
Mr Ezekiel Oduor a local athlete expressed fears that the county government officials would use the facility to enrich themselves instead of ensuring that they (athletes) have ample training ground.
“We first need attitude change from our leaders that is when such facilities will be of great help to us. But with the way things are the facility will remain to be a money minting project to county government officials,” lamented Mr Oduor.
Nyanza Digest 