• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee on Thursday raised concerns over the alleged abandonment of a ₦365 million National Library of Nigeria project in Jalingo, Taraba State, following a petition submitted by civic organisation, BudgIT Foundation. BudgIT had accused the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) of abandoning the construction of a prototype national library building in the state capital despite paying about ₦292 million to the contractor handling the project. The Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Chinwe Veronica, appeared before the committee chaired by Bamidele Salam to respond to the allegations during an investigative hearing. During the session, Veronica explained that the contract for the construction of the National Library state branch in Jalingo was originally awarded on March 1, 2018, to Samsung and Asosu Nigeria Limited for ₦238 million, with a completion deadline of March 2019. She told lawmakers that the contract value was later revised to ₦365 million in March 2023 following a variation approved through the Federal Ministry of Education. According to her, the agency has so far paid the contractor a total of ₦292.267 million, while the project is currently estimated to be about 85 per cent completed. She also disclosed that approximately ₦7.3 million remains as the outstanding balance on the contract. However, members of the committee expressed concern over the status of the project, noting that despite the large sum already paid, the contractor had reportedly not been seen on the site since October 2023. The lawmakers also questioned why the eighth payment certificate, valued at ₦65.2 million, was processed alongside an earlier unpaid certificate, especially as only limited documentation was presented to justify the payments. They further observed that the only document submitted to the committee was the original letter of award, while other crucial procurement records -- including the request for contract variation and approval documents -- were missing from the agency's submission. In her response, Veronica explained that some of the processes under scrutiny occurred before she assumed office, but assured the lawmakers that the required documents would be provided to the committee. She also informed the panel that officials of the agency visited the project site last year and noticed security personnel stationed there by the contractor. According to her, the agency also maintained communication with the contractor through telephone conversations. However, the committee chairman disagreed with the explanation, arguing that the contractor's absence from the site since October 2023 suggested that the project had effectively been abandoned. He said the agency's response appeared biased and did not sufficiently address the committee's concerns regarding the actual status of the project. Following deliberations, the committee directed the National Library of Nigeria to submit all outstanding procurement and payment documents relating to the project. The panel also set up a three-member investigative team to carry out a physical inspection of the project site in Jalingo. In addition, the committee directed both the contractor, Samsung and Asosu Nigeria Limited, and the NLN to reappear before it after the inspection for a final decision on the status of the project and the next line of action. Source: https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/reps-probe-alleged-abandonment-of-%e2%82%a6365m-national-library-project-in-taraba/