Benue Assembly Urges Alia To Complete FIFA-Standard Aper Aku Stadium Upgrade

The Benue State House of Assembly has commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his decision to upgrade the Aper Aku Stadium to International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) standard, urging him to ensure the project is completed without abandonment.

The House made the call after receiving the report of its Standing Committee on Youth and Sports following a working visit to the stadium to assess the progress of the renovation contract.

Presenting the committee’s report during Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, the committee recommended that the House withdraw in writing its petition against Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Limited before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It said the move would demonstrate good faith and create an opportunity for an amicable resolution of the dispute.

The committee also urged the state government to honour its contractual obligations to Monimichelle by ensuring timely payments, warning that delays could lead to project abandonment, unnecessary contract extensions and possible litigation.

Reacting to the report, the Site Manager of Aper Aku Stadium, Aersaa Kelvin Kerbem, commended the House and Governor Alia for their support for sports infrastructure development.

Kerdem said the resolution reached by the House was timely, noting that a functional stadium was critical to reviving sports in the state.

“We are delighted with the timely resolution reached yesterday because Benue State needs a conducive stadium to bring back Lobi Stars to their glorious days again,” he said.

He also welcomed the recommendation for timely payment to Monimichelle, stressing that fulfilling the contractual obligations would help prevent project abandonment, unnecessary delays and potential litigation.