Prominent Sierra Leonean music promoter Abu Bakarr Turay, popularly known as Kabaka, has expressed frustration over the prolonged renovation of the Siaka Stevens Stadium, the country’s premier sports facility.

The renovation, which began three years ago, has drawn criticism for its sluggish progress and the impact it has had on both sports and entertainment in Sierra Leone.

Speaking on the issue, Kabaka highlighted the significant challenges posed by the delay. He noted that the national football team, Leone Stars, has been forced to play its home matches abroad due to the unavailability of the stadium. This situation, he said, creates a disadvantage for the team, as what should be home games now feel like away matches.

Kabaka also questioned the pace of work by the Chinese contractors overseeing the project. “The Chinese are known globally for their speed and efficiency in infrastructure development,” he remarked. “It is baffling that a single stadium has taken three years to renovate.” He compared the stadium project to Sierra Leone’s newly constructed Freetown international airport, which was completed in just one year, further raising concerns about the delay.

The lack of a completed stadium has also hampered large-scale entertainment events in the country. Kabaka pointed out that Sierra Leone lacks a large auditorium for hosting major shows, forcing organizers to rely on the stadium as an alternative venue. “This delay is affecting our industry. The authorities need to urge the contractors to expedite the work,” he said.

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