The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Sports has on Wednesday 9th November, 2022 visited the Siaka Stevens Stadium to get first-hand update on the renovation work.

The Chinese Government commenced work in March this year and will complete renovation in 2024.

The Members of Parliament were received by authorities from the Sports Ministry, National Sports Authority (NSA), Stadium Management, and the Chinese Construction team.

NSA’s National Coordinator, Lambert Sesay welcomed the Committee and stated the purpose of their visit whilst the Director of Operations, Alie Sesay introduced authorities from the Sports Ministry and NSA.

Committee Chairman, Hon. Alusine Alu-Conteh said “we are here to see how the renovation work is going by making sure you address the issues raised by FIFA and CAF that have to do with the standard of the facility. To also make sure you go according to the agreement signed for other sporting facilities.

Spokesman of the Chinese Construction team, Bosin, gave an overview of work done so far, mentioning the demolition of structures within the stadium including the Presidential stands, score board, hostels, practice field, swimming pool, and Volleyball and Basketball courts.

“We are going to increase our man power in order to meet the deadline for the completion of the work in 2024”, Bosin assures.

The Committee Chairman, Hon. Alu-Conteh raised three important issues during the discussion; that the entire open stands should be given plastic seats, that the Mini stadium to be constructed at the Practice field should be from one thousand seats to two thousand seats, with plastic seats, and that the swimming pool should not be closed but be renovated.

The Chairman promised to make a second visit before the end of 2022, assuring of having a meeting with all stakeholders before his second visit to the site.

After positive talks, the Committee took a tour of the stadium to see the progress made so far.

The visit was also witnessed by the Director of Sports, Haroun Korjie, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports, Morrison B. Gboyo, Hon. Peter Koroma, Hon. Gbekie, Hon. Kasegbama, Stadium Manager, Paul Dambulay, his Deputy, Alfred Tucker and the Chinese Construction team.