Education Minister Tunji Alausa has warned contractors and consultants handling the National Library project against further delays and substandard work.
The minister warned that those who fail to meet agreed delivery targets will face sanctions.
Alausa, at a meeting with the contractors, consultants and officials of the Library in Abuja yesterday, said the Federal Government was ready to provide the necessary funding but would demand accountability and value for money.
‘This is a change day. We will make you accountable for the timelines we’re going to set for ourselves,’ the minister told the stakeholders.
He said in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Communications), Ikharo Attah, that the government would establish realistic delivery timelines and hold contractors and consultants accountable if they failed to meet the conditions contained in their agreements.
‘If you’re not meeting your guidelines and the timelines, I’m sorry, you’ll be penalised,’ he warned.
Alausa disclosed that the project had been divided into two major components-physical infrastructure and furnishing- for work to progress simultaneously.
He assured the contractors that the government would provide funds for the project, but stressed that funding would be tied to performance, quality and compliance with agreed standards.
The minister said the renewed push to complete the National Library reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education and human capital development.
He described the National Library as more than a physical structure, saying it remained a critical national institution for learning, research, knowledge development and human capital development.
Alausa recalled that the National Library was conceived in 1981, while construction commenced in 2006 with an initial 24-month completion period.
He praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contribution to efforts to complete the facility.