The Federal Government has set a new 24-month deadline for the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of the National Library headquarters complex in Abuja.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the deadline on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the project site.
The project, which commenced in 2006, was initially scheduled for completion within two years, following the award of a N8.59 billion contract to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC).
However, construction suffered prolonged delays spanning nearly two decades due to funding constraints, contract variations and disagreements over the cost of completion.
In August, the Federal Government approved an additional N118.309 billion for the completion of construction works and N37 billion for furnishing the facility.
The approvals brought the total funding requirement for the completion and furnishing of the long-abandoned project to approximately N155 billion.
Speaking during the visit, Alausa assured Nigerians that the government would ensure the project was completed within the newly stipulated 24-month period.
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He said measures had been introduced to prevent further delays resulting from funding and administrative bottlenecks.
“Our own commitment at the Federal Ministry of Education is that work will not stop for one day until we get to the point where we commission this building,” he said.
“We have put processes in place on how the contractor will request additional payment. I am going to speak publicly to all contractors and consultants today. If there are delays in processing, I need to know. I want to be bothered because this is a commitment to the Nigerian people.”
The minister said the renewed push to complete the project followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for the release of funds and the return of contractors to the site.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows exactly what this country needs. He knows that education is the bedrock of any egalitarian society,” he said.
“If any society must develop, it must educate its citizens. That is why this President has placed so much emphasis on education and given us all the support we need.”
Alausa also commended the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her personal commitment to the completion of the National Library project, noting that her sustained advocacy had helped secure additional funding for the facility.
The National Library headquarters project was conceived in 1981, while construction began on April 29, 2006, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Established in 1964, the National Library of Nigeria is the country’s apex library institution, with statutory responsibilities that include collecting, preserving and providing access to Nigeria’s published intellectual heritage.
