Lagos- Shop owners within the National Stadium Complex, Lagos on Thursday urged the management to provide more toilet facilities in the sports city for the comfort of the users of the facility.
Some of the shop owners told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the existing conveniences that needed to be refurbished as they were not enough to accommodate the growing number of people using the complex.
Some of them told NAN that they were ready to collaborate with the management to provide the facility.
NAN reports that there are not less than 20 shops located within the vicinity, which consists of sports shops, canteens and drinking pubs and restaurants with just a few conveniences for their clients.
One of the shop attendants, who spoke to the NAN correspondent in the stadium, on condition of anonymity said that their customers were sometimes forced to relieve themselves in odd places.
“The truth is that there are fewer toilets that are open for use; even me I use to urinate outside but whenever am pressed I go to the National sports federation building to relieve myself,’’ the source said.
A sales girl, who also pleaded anonymity said that conveniences were essential facilities to have around, especially for the sake of their clients who might be pressed.
She said that ladies encountered more difficulties whenever they wanted to urinate.
“Some of us know how to manage the situation but it’s always an embarrassment when customers request to use the toilet only for
them to be directed to the federation building,’’ she said.
According to him, some users defecate, wrap in a nylons and dispose of indiscriminately, making certain areas of the stadium to stink.
Meanwhile, a private convenience located at the National Institute for Sports axis has been opened for public use for a fee of N50.
An athlete, who recently patronised the facility, told NAN that it was a good development.
“Instead of going home feeling sweaty after training, we have a good place to freshen up with a little token of N50.00, although the management should have provided such for free.
“We usually patronise the place because it’s neat and there is enough water to bath and flush the toilet after use which is really serving us for some time now,’’ he said.
A section of athletes training at the gymnasium located near the O’Jez Restaurant have also commended the management of the restaurant for providing toilets for their free use.
Bolaji Taiwo, a weightlifting coach told NAN that the six toilets were always open for athletes to use after their training activities, and it is being maintained by the management.
Perpetual Okonkwo, a para-athlete described the owner of the restaurant as a kind-hearted individual and added that he was contributing to the welfare of athletes.
Meanwhile, Abolore Alanamu the Manager of the National Stadium told NAN that the management was working tirelessly to address the issue.
“We are making arrangements to improve major facilities in the stadium so that the whole place will be neat,’’ he said. (NAN)