Members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria have questioned the alleged abandonment of a ₦365 million National Library project in Taraba State.
The lawmakers raised the issue during a hearing by the Public Accounts Committee after a petition from the civic organisation BudgIT Foundation.
The petition accused the National Library of Nigeria of abandoning the construction of a prototype library building in Jalingo despite large payments to the contractor.
According to BudgIT, the agency paid about ₦292 million to the contractor handling the project.
However, the organisation alleged that the project site had been abandoned. The claim prompted lawmakers to invite officials of the National Library to explain the situation.
The agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Chinwe Veronica, appeared before the committee to respond to the allegations.
Contract Awarded in 2018, Later Increased
During the hearing, Veronica explained that the contract for the National Library state branch in Jalingo was first awarded on March 1, 2018.
She said the contract went to Samsung and Asosu Nigeria Limited at an initial cost of ₦238 million, with completion expected by March 2019.
However, the contract sum increased in March 2023 after a variation approved by the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria.
Following the adjustment, the total contract value rose to ₦365 million.
Payments Made, Project Near Completion
The National Library boss told lawmakers that ₦292.267 million had already been paid to the contractor.
She added that the project currently stands at about 85 percent completion.
According to her, about ₦7.3 million remains as the outstanding balance required to complete the project.
Lawmakers Question Contractor’s Absence
Despite the explanation, members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s status.
They noted that although large payments had been made, the contractor had not been seen on site since October 2023.
Lawmakers also questioned the processing of the eighth payment certificate worth ₦65.2 million, which was reportedly handled alongside an earlier unpaid certificate.
They argued that the agency failed to provide enough documents to justify the payments.
Missing Procurement Documents Raise Concern
Committee members further observed that the only document submitted was the original letter of award.
Other important records were missing. These include the variation request and approval documents.
In response, Veronica said some of the processes happened before she assumed office. However, she assured lawmakers that the agency would provide the required documents.
Reps Order Investigation and Site Inspection
After deliberations, the committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, ordered the National Library to submit all relevant procurement and payment records.
Lawmakers also set up a three-member investigative team to inspect the project site in Jalingo.
The committee directed the contractor and the National Library to appear again after the inspection for a final decision on the project’s status.
