Home matches of the Super Eagles and other national teams may soon return to the Abuja National Stadium as comprehensive rehabilitation of the main pitch is going on in earnest, and is almost completed.

The contractor handling the project, Julius Berger PLC has completed the first phase of the work, which includes removal and replacement of the topsoil, and planting the approved specie of grass.

“Where we are at present, is the nurturing of the grass and this will terminate on August 15  this year,” said Engr. Ibrahim Shehu, Director of Facilities at the National Sports Commission, NSC, adding that the main pitch of the stadium would be ready for use from that date.

Abuja Stadium: Work in progress

“The pitch would be ready for light use from August 15 and we will observe it for two weeks. After that, the pitch can be used regularly for football and other sporting activities,” he assured.

On plans to regularly maintain the stadium, Engr. Shehu stated that the NSC has an arrangement with the contractor to maintain the stadium for six months after it is handed over to the Commission.

He further added that the Commission has put in place systems to ensure that the stadium is well maintained all year round.

“The problem we had was that the power cable that was used to power electricity to the stadium was vandalized. Without electricity we could not use the sprinklers to wet the grass.

“Now we have put systems in place to check all that. We now have water tanker for the manual watering of the grass.”

Engr. Shehu also assured that the NSC had perfected plans to put the stadium to active use throughout the year.