Nigerian govt threatens sanctions over further delays in national library completion

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has threatened sanctions against contractors and consultants working on the National Library of Nigeria project due to ongoing delays in its completion. Alausa made the announcement on Sunday during a meeting with the project's contractors, consultants, and officials. This warning is documented in a statement issued by Ikharo Attah, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister.

Alausa emphasized that the Federal Government will set new delivery timelines for the project and hold contractors and consultants accountable for meeting their commitments. "We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves," Alausa stated. He also warned that contractors who fail to meet the agreed-upon timelines will face penalties. "If you’re not meeting your guidelines, the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised," he added.

Moreover, Alausa disclosed that the National Library project, initially conceived in 1981 with an initial completion period of 24 months, has been divided into two components: physical infrastructure and furnishing. Both components are now expected to progress simultaneously. The minister expressed his satisfaction with the prospect of a National Library that would resemble the National Library of Qatar.