By Aderonke Ojo
The National Institute for Sports (NIS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) are at loggerheads over the ownership and control of a 200-bed hostel at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The hostel, located opposite the Athletes Development Centre (ADC), Package B, of the stadium complex has become a subject controversy following separate quit notices issued by both institutions to illegal occupants of the building.
Jude Abu, Head of Department, Works, NIS, raised concerns over the ownership of the building on Monday during a guided tour of the facility with newsmen in Abuja.
Ben Ogbemudia, Special Assistant, Media, Office of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, NIS ADC, Abuja, quoted Abu in a statement as saying that the complex belonged to NIS.
“The ownership of the property is not in doubt and remains vested in the institute,” he said.
Abu expressed displeasure over the alleged removal of an official NIS notice from the premises by the NSC on Sept. 20.
He said the notice was replaced with an eviction notice bearing the authority of the NSC.
Abu described the action as provocative and unlawful, urging the commission to stay clear of NIS facilities within the stadium.
He reaffirmed that the hostel remained an NIS facility and was vital to the institute’s operations, particularly for accommodating students undertaking programmes at its Abuja centre.
“Both the NIS and NSC are independent government parastatals. The NIS is in no way subservient to the NSC,” Ogbemudia quoted Abu as saying.
Ogbemudia also quoted Abu as saying that the facility was commissioned as a hostel for NIS students during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that an official plaque at the premises commemorated its commissioning as an NIS facility.
“I call on all unauthorised occupants and intruders to vacate the premises on or before Dec. 31.
“Failure to comply will compel NIS to take necessary legal action to reclaim the facility.”(NAN)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne