A hasty renovation work began yesterday at the National Stadium Swimming pool in Lagos, apparently because of the scheduled visit of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalong, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Prior to the minister’s tour of the facility, the refurbishment had been stalled since 2014. But yesterday before the arrival of the minister to the stadium, several workers were seen hurriedly assembling the pools’ cleaning equipment, repainting, washing and patching up the cracked floor of the pool.

Although, the contractor handling the project was not on site when NAN visited the pool, but no fewer than 30 workers were seen carrying on remedial work on the pool.

An official of the National Sports Commission (NSC), who pledged anonymity, told NAN that the work began in the pool about a week ago.

It is, however, doubtful that any form of work started during the Yuletide.

“The work began a week ago because our minister is visiting. This type of eye service and deceit cannot help the development of sports in this country.

“It is either the management of the stadium is trying to impress the minister that they are working or to justify the money approved for the renovation which had been stalled since 2014.