N50 billion needed to complete abandoned National library project ― FG

THE Federal Government has disclosed that a whopping sum of N50 billion is required to complete the National Library Headquarters, Abuja, a project abandoned since 2013.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who made this known during the 7th edition of Weekend Ministerial Press briefing cited poor funding as the reason for the abandonment of the project that was awarded in 2006 at a total cost of N8 billion.

He noted that by 2013, during the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the project cost was reviewed upward to N18 billion.

He said work was, however, stopped by the end of 2013 as a result of poor-funding.

He also disclosed that new branches of National Library are to be established in Delta, Anambra, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kogi and Jigawa states while permanent branch buildings in Gombe and Katsina states have been completed.

Adamu said: “In the recent past, I have received a number of enquiries from members of the press, expressing concern over the ‘abandoned’ gigantic National Library Headquarters, here in Abuja.

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“Let me state unequivocally that the Buhari administration has made it clear that it will not abandon any project initiated by any past administration that is adjudged to be in public interest.

“It is in the light of this, that the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Mambila Dam, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal and a host of other projects have either been completed or are being continued.

“When this administration came into power, the contractor submitted a new bill of N78 billion to complete the project.

“We set up a committee to evaluate the project. This committee has submitted a bill of N50 billion. We have forwarded the report to the Bureau of Public Procurement for further appraisal.

“The recommendation of the BPP will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration,” he said.

The Minister said while government awaits these processes to be completed, it is pursuing alternative sources of funding especially from special intervention funding windows from perhaps, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He further explained that the rising cost of the project was due largely to exchange rate fluctuations necessary upgrades and modernization among other variables.

He said: “Away from the National Library Headquarters, may I inform you that the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) is required by its enabling Act to have a presence in all states of the Federation.

“To fulfil this mandate, the NLN has been expanding its branches across the country as well as rehabilitating existing ones.

“Contracts for the renovation of the Lagos, Benue, Nasarawa, Imo, Adamawa, and Plateau branches have been awarded while others will come on stream in 2020.

“The renovation goes beyond replacing leaking roofs and painting walls.

“The exercise will involve providing reading spaces for children to promote a sound reading culture among school pupils, ensuring stable electricity supply, clean toilets and running water at all times.

“It must also be noted that we are in a digital world. We are therefore in the process of providing free internet access for our library users, beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Enugu branches.

“We have requested Galaxy Backbone to increase our Internet bandwidth in these branches and the process is ongoing.

“We are also expanding, completing and renovating e-libraries in all our Unity schools and each school will get qualified librarian to manage the learning resources.

“We are also working with state governments and other relevant stakeholders to develop a public Library policy for the country. A National Conference in this regard will come up between 27th – 28th March this year,” he said.