THE Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the abandoned multi-billion Nara National Library project be completed within 21 months.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, gave the order on Tuesday in Abuja.
The FG ordered the consultant and contractor overseeing the project to mobilize to the site and ensure its completion within the set time.
The Minister directed that the contract, which was awarded and to which work began some 17 years ago, must be delivered for commission by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
The National Library headquarters located on Plot 35 of the Central Business District, Abuja, was awarded to Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) on 11th of March 2006 at the cost of N8.590billion.
Mamman stated that, while the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is expected to find the project, all hands need to be on deck to ensure the project in completed within the set time.
“This project is too important because it is in the capital of Nigeria, and for it not to be completed for almost 20 years is unfortunate. We are talking of a National Library.
“The decision is that we have a president who does not tolerate sloppiness and uncompleted projects anywhere.
“He is determined to deliver on what will bring progress and development to this country.
“The National Library is one of the major edifices anywhere in the world.
“So, our mandate is that after discussion with the contractor, consultant, and everybody here, the President will commission this national monument in the next 20 to 21 months.
“Everybody must buckle up, make all the necessary compromises, and come back to the site, and next time we come, we will see huge progress,” Mamman stated.
The abandoned project has already claimed N11 billion.
Owing to inflation and the rising cost of building materials, the contract for the project has been reviewed severally.
It was first reviewed in March 2010, with the cost of completion of the project rising to N17 billion to be completed in 21 months.
It, then, skyrocketed to N49 billion at which cost the project was finally abandoned during the administration of Ex President Goodluck Jonathan.
The estimated cost for completing the project is now over N120 billion, with the project 44.6% completed.
The library edifice comprises of: Eleven (11) floors, consisting of two basement floors, a ground floor, and eight upper floors, as well as a perimeter fence, gates/gatehouses, internal roads, and other external works.
