The Edo State government has assured that the state-of-the-art facilities being put in place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin for the 20th National Sports Festival, tagged Edo 2020, will not be allowed to fall into disuse after the tournament.

Deputy Governor the state, Comrade Phillip Shaibu gave the assurance on Tuesday in Benin where he said the government will send a bill on Asset Management Agency to the state’s House of Assembly to ensure that the maintenance of the facilities was guaranteed.

In an interview with journalists following an inspection of facilities at the stadium, Shaibu said it was necessary to codify a law mandating the compulsory maintenance of the stadium to ensure that successive governments would not allow the facilities deteriorate.

The deputy governor, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Edo 2020 Local Organizing Committee, said the government is currently exploring private sector partnerships towards maintaining the facilities and assured Nigerians that the contractors would deliver all remaining structures for the Festival before the opening ceremony on 22 March.

“When the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, visited last week, some of the facilities had not reached the stage they are in now. The workers are on an eight-hour shift and work 24 hours daily. We are sure they will meet the deadline we gave them,” he added.