SKD
Complex Renovation Gets Green Light
SKD Stadium
during the clean up campaign
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The Liberian government and the People’s Republic of
China on Thursday signed the agreement for the renovation of the
Samuel Kenyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. The ceremony took
place at the residence of the Chinese Ambassador in Congo Town. The
Acting Minister of Youth and Sports, Johnstone Fanhborde signed on
behalf of his Ministry while the Chinese Ambassador, Lin Songtian did
the same for the Red China.
“Since the successful visit of the Chinese design
team in last April, we all have been expecting an earlier commencement
of the SKD Stadium renovation. However, it is a big project, which
covers the renovation of a fully equipped sports complex for 30
thousand spectators. We take it very seriously to make proper design,
upgrade the essential standards and allocate sufficient finance for a
project of this kind,” the Chinese Ambassador said.
According to the Chinese envoy, the PRC has
put a great attention to the project so as to keep everything on
track.
He stated how the Chinese Embassy has been
working closely with all parties concerned just to ensure a quick
move.
“Today, I am happy to inform all of you
that, following the serious public bidding procedures and instruction
of the Chinese Government, the China Human Construction Engineering
Group, which is one of the best qualified companies in China, is
making every effort to push the project forward. After the singing of
the Contract, the Company will send an advancing team and make the
first shipment of materials to Liberia by the end of this month. The
advancing team will complete all the preparation and ensure the
official commencement of the project in September. The company has
committed to finish the works of this project within 20 months from
the official commencement and make sure the good quality,” Ambassador
Lin stated.
Ambassador Lin imagined that once the SKD
Complex is completed, a modernized landmark would stand at the
entrance of Monrovia with a brand new face.
He wished that there would be Liberian football
players, no matter their tribes and religions, fairly playing on the
court with thousands of spectators, no matter their ages, friendly and
peaceful, cheering and enjoying their football games in the stadium.
On that day, according to him, the SKD Sports
Complex would become the symbol of national Reconciliation of Liberia.
“On that day, the Stadium will become a symbol of friendship and
cooperation between our two countries and peoples.”
As a result, Ambassador Lin said,
they put the renovation to “this China-aided stadium” into their
priority to assist the Liberian government and people.
Sadly, the Ambassador mentioned that three
years after the stadium was completed in 1986, former President Samuel
Kanyon Doe turned his back on China just for his personal interest of
US$10 million from Taiwan.
“A stadium like the SKD is still a
dream of the people of my home today. The behavior of Mr. Doe is shame
to the friendly relations of the two countries and people. I would
like to call on the Liberian politicians like Mr. Doe, Be a Man
please.”
On behalf of the Sports Ministry, Acting
Minister Fahnborde was very grateful that the contract has been
signed.
The Acting Sport Minister said the signing
was in the right direction, especially so when South Africa was ready
to sponsor the Liberian national team for five years.
He promised that the country would have a strong
team to go on a brand new stadium.
For his part, Foreign Minister Thomas Yaya Nimely
revealed that the SKD Complex was selected among several damaged
structures in that sport would help to make peace.
Minister Nimely assured that when the stadium is
completed, the country would win her first game there.
The occasion was attended by a number of
dignitaries including Planning Minister Christian Herbert, Acting
Finance Minister Tugbe Doe, the Acting Chairman of the NTLA Foreign
Relations Committee Thomas Nah Nimely, NTLA Members Edwin Juah and
Rufus Neufville, Justice Minister Kabinneh Janneh, Public Works
Minister Irwin Coleman, Lands, Mines and Energy Minister Jonathan
Mason and the head of the Contract and Monopolies Commission Marie
Leigh-Parker. Other officials of the Sports Ministry present were
Assistant Minister Elizabeth Omoko, the Advisor to the Minister
Jeremiah Witherspoon and the Director of Public Affairs Mohamed V.
Kamara.
At the same time, the Human Construction
Engineering Group Corporation was represented by its Vice President of
International Marketing Department, Yu Guohui.
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