Nigeria: Adamawa Govt, Spanish Firm Sign MoU On Stadium - The Adamawa State Government on Friday said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Spanish firm on the construction of a multi-purpose stadium. [AA Construction]

Botswana: Contractual Negotiations Delay SSKB Stadium Refurbishment - The renovation of the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) Stadium is expected to start on October 20, more than a year after it was closed for refurbishments. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Contractor Hands Over Taraba Stadium - The contracting firm that handled the design and construction of the multi-million naira Jolly Nyame stadium complex located in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, Shelter Development Limited (SDL), over the weekend handed over the completed structure to its clients, the Taraba state government. But this was done amidst controversies as both the construction company and the state government refused to disclose to the public the total amount spent in executing the project. [AA Construction]

By Professor Ndawonde

Johannesburg - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee is confident that government has the correct safety and transport plans in place, ahead of the world's largest soccer event next year.

After meeting with the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Minister for Transport Sibusiso Ndebele on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the country was moving in the right direction.

"Their plans clearly show that government is committed to working towards providing adequate and safe transport and implementing significant security measures. The plans in place will ensure that we stage the World Cup in a safe environment," Jordaan told BuaNews.

He had been apprehensive after concerns were raised around these two aspects during the recent FIFA Confederations Cup.

However, after hearing reports from the two ministers, he said he was "certain that will not be a problem at all during the World Cup".

By Proffesor Ndawonde

Johannesburg - International football governing body FIFA said on Wednesday it was pleased with the progress South Africa had made in completing the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia.

"Overall we are very impressed with the achievements made," said Ron DelMont, who heads up FIFA's office in South Africa.

A 50-member delegation from the Local Organising Committee and FIFA conducted a comprehensive inspection of all five stadiums in Durban, Limpopo, Cape Town, Mpumalanga and Port Elizabeth recently.

The site visits revealed that preparations were on track for all stadiums to be completed by the end of the year. In most instances, the physical construction of the stadiums is virtually complete, with almost all seats installed as well as pitches newly-laid.

"In addition to the stadiums coming together, we were equally pleased that the teams of the LOC, host cities and FIFA are working towards a common vision on the delivery of the event," he said.

LOC Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan applauded host cities for their outstanding effort in constructing the stadiums.

Maputo - Mozambique's new national stadium will not be ready in time to be used for any spin-offs from the football World Cup, due to be held in South Africa in 2010.

According to the assistant director of the construction project, Jose Pereira, speaking to Radio Mozambique, the stadium, in the outer Maputo neighbourhood of Zimpeto, will only be completed in December 2010, five months after the World Cup is over.

The delay in completion, explained Pereira, is due to the delay in starting construction, and cost overruns on the work to level the site.

"When the agreement was signed on 28 March 2008, it was envisaged that work would begin on 28 April", he said. This proved wildly optimistic.

Luanda - The inspectors delegation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Friday left Luanda for northern Cabinda province, one of cities that will host CAN2010, with the objective to assess the progress on the works of Chiazi Stadium.

For some hours in the region, the mission, led by the Algerian Mohamed Raouraoura, will also inspect the capacity installed in Cabassango village, that will accommodate the teams and CAF members and hospital staff.

On Wednesday, CAF delegation expressed satisfaction with the conditions found on Luanda stadium, where they had checked the finish up of the works, technicians areas and the grass. - ANGOP

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Uganda: Lugogo Stadium to Become All-Seater - THE Lugogo indoor stadium is to become an all-seater facility. It will also have VIP boxes when the sh700m renovation funded by MTN is completed. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Kano Cries Out Over Contractors' Sabotage - With less than a month to kick-off the world cadet soccer championship scheduled to hold in Nigeria , Kano State Commissioner of Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Garba has cried out over the slow pace of federal projects, particularly at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano. [AA Construction]

Botswana: UB Stadium Eyes 2010 World Cup - A management committee has been set-up to make sure the recently refurbished University of Botswana (UB) Stadium is fit for use by countries coming for next year's World Cup in South Africa. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Contractor Promises Completion of Venue Works in Two Weeks - The Kano State Commissioner for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr. Ibrahim Garba, has expressed optimism the state government will complete all minor works remaining on all the facilities to be used for the coming FIFA Under-17 World Cup Finals before the end of next week. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Afe Babalola Lifts Olubadan Stadium - Moved by the pitiable condition of the once green turf of the Olubadan Stadium, legal luminary, Afe Babalola (SAN) has begun a process of returning the stadium to its pre-eminent moment. [AA Construction]

Botswana: Imported Labour to Speed Up Stadium Construction - The company constructing the new Francistown Stadium hopes to complete the job as scheduled in January after getting the green-light to import skilled labour from China. The Qingjian Group has been experiencing delays in the project because of a shortage of skilled manpower but this is set to change. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Sports Council to Lose Lugogo Stadium - THE National Council of Sports (NCS) risks losing its headquarters on Coronation Avenue in Kampala for failure to raise sh1b in premium and ground rent. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Kano Project Monitoring Commissioner Swings to Action - To ensure completion of project at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano, Kano state Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba has relocated to the stadium at Kofar Mata in order not to leave anything to chance. [AA Urbanisation]