The Anambra State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick-Agha Mba, has banned the collection of rents in cash for the use of stadiums and sports facilities across the state.
Mba announced the directive on Wednesday during an inspection tour of sports facilities across Anambra State. The visit was aimed at assessing the condition of existing facilities and identifying areas for improvement to support the state’s grassroots sports development agenda.
According to the commissioner, all tenants using government-owned sports facilities must now make payments directly into the state government’s account through the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.
“From now onward, all legal tenants at our stadia will no longer pay rents by cash. They should pay directly into the state government account through the Anambra Revenue Service,” he said.
He explained that the measure aligns with the state government’s efforts to improve transparency in revenue collection and boost internally generated revenue.
Mba also directed owners of private structures located within stadium premises without proper approval documents to remove them immediately.
The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to grassroots sports development, noting that local government councils would play a key role in implementing the policy. He added that necessary investments would be made to provide adequate sporting facilities across the state.
Facilities inspected during the tour included Otuocha Stadium, Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Godwin Achebe Stadium, Idemili Stadium, Ekwulobia Stadium, and Awka Stadium. www.primepost.ng
Source: NAN
Edited by Deborah Yakub www.primepost.ng
