as the trees that once made the complex a greenery spectacle are being
chopped down and sold for firewood.
During the week the almond trees near the Sports Writers Association
of Nigeria and Nigeria Olympic Committee secretariats were hacked down
by chainsaw wielding workmen who after cutting the tree piled them in
bundles for onward delivery to firewood vendors. This is not the first
time the trees at the stadium will suffer such environmental
condition. It was gathered that the National Sports Commission Liaison
officer, Mrs. Tayo Oreweme ordered the 'assault' on the trees on the
suspicion that they were meeting places for witches and wizards.
However, she explained yesterday that there was no spiritual bend to
the axing of the trees. Rather according to her, she was only obeying
directives from her superiors.
"We are chopping down the trees because they are blocking the view of
the CCTV cameras installed at the stadium. The engineers have told us
to cut them so that the CCTV will get a clearer view of the area of
surveillance. I did not do on my own volition, but just obeying
directives.
"Other trees that did not obstruct the path of the CCTV were cut down
because they are threatening to to pull down the walls of the fencing.
"If you go around the stadium you will see that other trees not
standing in the way were not touched.
"I am not adverse to making the stadium beautiful. You will recall
that when I first came I cut down some of the trees. This was because
they were overgrown, but they are now fully regrown and giving the
stadium a level of beauty," said the NSC official.
But a closer look at the CCTV device revealed that it was not in
working order. It was as good as dead, but according to Oreweme, the
Cameras will be fully operational in no distant time and they will be
commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Some of the trees were planted in 1973 when the Stadium was
commissioned for use by former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon.
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