The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a commitment to finalise the construction of the National Library within a timeframe of 21 months, with the objective of establishing it as the nation’s official repository.
During a visit to the project site, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, provided assurance regarding the project’s condition.
He was accompanied by several Heads of Agencies in the sector, who joined him on the tour to assess the project’s status.
The National Library, comprising of eleven floors including two basement floors, a ground floor, and eight upper floors, as well as a perimeter fence, gate, gatehouses, internal roads, and other external works, was initially awarded on March 11, 2006.
The contract sum was set at eight billion, five hundred and ninety million, two hundred and twenty-six thousand, three hundred and ninety-three naira (N8,590,226,393.00), with a projected duration of 22 months.
However, it is important to note that the project remains unfinished as of the present time.
The project was re-awarded in March 2010 for a duration of 21 months, with a total cost of N49,643,337,960.32 (forty-nine billion, six hundred and forty-three million, three hundred and thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty Naira, thirty-two kobo).
Based on calculations using the current exchange rate of 774 Naira to a dollar, the projected cost of completing this project in 21 months, as promised by Professor Mamman, is 116,110,000,000 Naira.
This amount differs from the previously stated cost of 150,000,000 Naira in 2010, which was based on an exchange rate of 163 Naira per dollar.
During a press briefing following a visit to the premises, Minister Mamman stated that the rationale behind the project’s completion stems from President Tinubu’s zero-tolerance policy towards unfinished endeavours, coupled with a resolute commitment to delivering initiatives that foster national progress and development.
According to the individual, the contractor responsible for overseeing the project will promptly revisit the site in order to complete the construction of the national edifice, emphasising the significance of the project for the welfare of the citizens of Nigeria.
The Minister declined to provide a comment regarding the cost of completing the project, stating that it will be determined in due course.
According to Professor Chinwe Anunobi, the National Librarian, the project’s completion has been impeded by bureaucratic bottlenecks since its awarding in 2006.
However, Professor Anunobi also provided assurance that work will promptly commence.
Source: WakaaboutAfrica.com
