By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has queried the National Library of Nigeria over an allegedly abandoned N365 million library project in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The project, a prototype National Library building, was awarded in 2018 to Samsung and Asosu Nigeria Limited, with about N292 million already paid to the contractor.
Speaking before the committee, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Library, Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, said the project had reached 85 per cent completion, adding that only N7.3 million remained as the outstanding balance.
She explained that the contract sum was reviewed upward to N365 million in March 2023.
However, members of the committee expressed concern that the contractor has not been seen at the project site since October 2023 despite the substantial payment made.
Lawmakers also questioned the eighth payment certificate valued at N65.2 million, which they said was processed with limited documentation.
According to the committee, the only document submitted in support of the payment was the original letter of award.
The National Library boss, however, assured lawmakers that all relevant documents would be submitted to the committee.
“I will submit all outstanding documents,” she said.
Meanwhile, the committee constituted a three-member team to conduct a physical inspection of the project site in Jalingo.
The lawmakers also directed the contractor and officials of the National Library to reappear before the committee after the inspection for a final determination on the status of the project.
