Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State have expressed concern over the collapse of part of the pavilion at the nearly completed Lafiagi Stadium following a heavy windstorm.

The affected section of the stadium was damaged on Thursday as the project was nearing completion, raising concerns among residents about the safety and structural integrity of the facility before it is handed over for public use.

Findings by Arewa PUNCH showed that the windstorm caused significant damage to part of the pavilion, potentially creating additional work for the contractor and further delaying the completion of the project.

Some residents also expressed concern that the incident could affect the project's timeline, with an estimated 15 per cent setback being cited, although this could not be independently verified as of press time.

The incident has subsequently prompted calls for a comprehensive assessment of the stadium to determine the extent and cause of the damage and ensure that any structural defects are addressed before the facility is commissioned.

A youth and sports development advocate from Edu, Aliyu Isa Edu, said the incident should be treated as a warning that could help the authorities identify and correct potential vulnerabilities before the stadium begins to host large crowds.

"The recent windstorm that damaged a section of the pavilion at the nearly completed Lafiagi Stadium in Edu Local Government Area is undoubtedly a painful setback for sports development in our community," Edu said.

He, however, cautioned against attributing the damage to poor construction without a professional assessment.

"At this stage, we should not conclude without professional evidence that poor construction caused the damage," he said.

Edu stressed that qualified professionals should establish whether the windstorm alone caused the damage or whether other structural factors contributed to the incident.

He called on the Kwara State Sports Commission, Kwara Football Association, relevant ministries and engineering authorities to conduct a comprehensive structural and safety assessment of the facility.

He also urged the Nigeria Football Federation to participate where its technical or facility standards were applicable.

"The assessment should examine the structural integrity of the pavilion, roofing system, steelwork, anchoring and connections; the quality and specification of materials; resistance to expected wind loads; emergency exits and crowd-control provisions; electrical and fire safety; drainage; spectator barriers; dressing rooms and playing facilities; and all other requirements necessary for a modern sporting facility," Edu said.

The advocate further called for any corrective work to be carried out in accordance with approved engineering specifications and for the affected structures to be certified by qualified independent professionals before spectators are allowed into the facility.

"The contractor should be allowed to complete corrective work only in accordance with approved engineering specifications, while qualified independent professionals should certify the affected structures before spectators are permitted into the stadium," he said.

Edu said the consequences could have been more serious if the structural failure had occurred while the stadium was hosting a match or other public gathering.

"Had a major structural failure occurred during a football match or community event, when the pavilion was filled with players, officials, supporters, children and families, the consequences could have been tragic," he said.

He urged the authorities not to allow pressure to meet commissioning or handover deadlines to override safety considerations.

"Public safety must come before commissioning dates, ceremonies or pressure to complete the project quickly," Edu said.

He added that the incident should serve as a lesson for sports infrastructure development, particularly because stadiums are facilities designed to accommodate large numbers of people.

"This incident should also become a broader lesson for sports infrastructure development across Kwara State and Nigeria. Stadiums are not ordinary buildings," he said.

Edu noted that residents of Lafiagi and the wider Edu Local Government Area had long awaited a quality sporting facility, saying the project should provide a safe environment for athletes and spectators.

"The people of Lafiagi and Edu LGA have waited patiently for a quality sporting facility. Our young athletes deserve a stadium that will help develop their talents, while supporters deserve a facility where they can watch sporting events without unnecessary risks," he said.

"We appreciate investment in sports development, but investment must always be accompanied by quality, accountability, professional supervision and safety," he added.

Meanwhile, some residents expressed concern about the vulnerability of the stadium's pavilion to strong winds.

A resident, Aliyu Ahmed, questioned the design of the structure, saying, "That place is an open space. The roof should not be too high for heavy wind impact. They should have learnt from the previous one."

Another resident, Ahmad Muqhtar, said the area had experienced a similar incident in the past. "It is like the location of that stadium is a windstorm way because this is not the first time," Muqhtar said.

A media commentator who identifies himself as Valor Journalist also recalled an earlier experience at the stadium, saying he had once been warned against taking photographs or recording videos at the facility.

"A security personnel had earlier warned me, saying, 'Go back immediately. It is not allowed to take photographs or make video recordings here..' Na so I left jeje. Now, see what has happened? God forbid'," he said.

However, the circumstances surrounding the damage, including whether the design, construction, materials or other structural factors contributed to the incident, could not be independently established as of press time.

The development also sparked discussions online about who is responsible for the rehabilitation of the stadium.

Arewa PUNCH recalls that in a September 14 rejoinder, the Edu Local Government Council Chairman's Media Team and Strategic Communications Unit dismissed claims that the project was being managed and financed by the council chairman, Abdullahi Ndamangoro.

The team clarified that the Lafiagi Stadium rehabilitation was a project of the Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and was being financed and managed by the state government.

"The ongoing Lafiagi Stadium rehabilitation project is a core initiative of the Kwara State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and is being managed and financed by the State Government," the statement said.

The council's media team also urged the public to disregard claims that Ndamangoro was responsible for the project, stressing that the council chairman was neither managing nor funding the stadium rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the identity of the contractor handling the project could not be independently confirmed as of press time.

When contacted for comments on the damage, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, Moshood Magaji, said the agency was "not aware of the development."

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the state government were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Commissioner for Housing, Femi Ogunshola, were not responded to as of press time.

For Edu, however, the incident provides an opportunity for the authorities to inspect the facility thoroughly and address any identified weaknesses before it is opened to the public.

"The windstorm may have set the Lafiagi Stadium project back temporarily, but it has also presented an opportunity to inspect, correct and strengthen the facility before it becomes operational," he said.

Edu added, "Let Lafiagi Stadium eventually stand not only as a beautiful sporting facility, but as a symbol of quality construction, public accountability and the protection of human life."