Fresh controversy has erupted in Kogi State after civic accountability organisation Tracka uncovered what it described as glaring inconsistencies in the implementation of a N120 million budget earmarked for the renovation of the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja to FIFA standards, with official records indicating that N61.4 million had been disbursed despite no visible work at the facility.
The revelation has intensified concerns over transparency in public spending and raised questions about the credibility of the state’s budget implementation process.
According to Tracka, a physical inspection of the stadium revealed that the facility remains in a deplorable condition, showing no evidence whatsoever that any renovation project had commenced.
“Despite a budget allocation of N120 million and a reported disbursement of N61.4 million in the 2024 budget, no renovation work has commenced at the Confluence Stadium, let alone the FIFA standard proposed by the budget in Kogi State,” the organisation stated.
The group disclosed that officials visited the stadium as part of its independent monitoring exercise and found a structure that bore all the marks of neglect rather than rehabilitation.
“A physical inspection revealed a stadium still in a dilapidated state, with damaged stands, broken seats and a poor playing surface,” Tracka said.
The findings prompted the organisation to file a Freedom of Information request to the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, seeking explanations regarding the reported expenditure and the status of the renovation project.
However, the ministry’s response has only deepened the controversy.
According to Tracka, the ministry denied spending the N61.4 million on the renovation of Confluence Stadium, insisting instead that the funds were utilised for sports competition expenses captured under a different economic classification.
“Following our findings, we filed an FOI request. In its response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development stated that the N61.4 million was not spent on renovating the stadium, but on sports competition expenses under a different economic code,” the organisation disclosed.
The explanation stands in sharp contrast to the state’s Budget Implementation Report, which reportedly indicated that the money was disbursed under the stadium renovation project, fuelling allegations of discrepancies in official expenditure records.
“This contradiction between the Budget Implementation Report and the Ministry’s explanation raises serious concerns about the accuracy of public expenditure reporting,” Tracka said.
The organisation maintained that accurate budget reporting is a cornerstone of democratic accountability and warned that inconsistencies in public records undermine citizens’ trust in government institutions.
“Citizens deserve budget reports that reflect reality. Public funds must be transparently reported, properly classified and accountable,” it stated.
Tracka has consequently called on the Kogi State Government to publicly explain the apparent contradiction, correct any inaccuracies in official documents where necessary, and ensure that the long-promised upgrade of Confluence Stadium is executed in accordance with the approved budget.
The group also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in its public appeal, urging both anti-graft agencies to scrutinise the expenditure and promote greater accountability in the management of public resources.
The controversy comes amid growing public demands for transparency in government spending, particularly at a time of economic hardship when citizens increasingly insist that every naira allocated for development must translate into tangible results.
For many residents and sports enthusiasts, the lingering question remains unanswered: if N61.4 million was recorded as spent while the stadium still lies in ruins, where exactly did the money go?