As renovation work at the historic Addis Ababa Stadium enters its eighth month, authorities say phase 1 of the construction is nearing completion.
The Federal Sports Commission had stated that the 38 million birr project would be completed by March, but those plans did not come to fruition.
The contractor (Friends Engineering), who is yet to complete phase 1 of the project, for its part stated work on the project is going according to plan. A plan it says both the sports commission and the contractor agreed upon.
Phase 1 which includes renovation of the pitch (68% complete) and the interior of the main stand (dressing rooms, restrooms, etc.) is expected to be finished by early July.
However, questions are being asked as to why some elements of the stadium such as public restrooms at stands outside of the main stand weren’t included in phase 1 of the project.
When asked these questions, state minister Mesfin Cherinet stated that work on those elements of the stadium would begin shortly, but only in phase 2 of the project.
He also stated, the final instillation of the grass is on hold pending a decision on whether the contractor itself can do the work or if the services of a CAF licensed professional is also needed.
Either way the renovation work is likely to drag on for many months to come leaving the capital and the country without a CAF approved Stadium.
This will certainly mean Ethiopian football fans will have to get used to their clubs and national teams playing home fixtures abroad for the foreseeable future.
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