Failure to meet the agreed delivery targets for the N118.309 billion National Library of Nigeria in Abuja will attract sanctions, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has warned the contractors handling the project.

This comes as the federal government moves to complete the long-delayed headquarters building, with an additional N37 billion already approved for its furnishing.

Conceived in 1981, the project commenced in April 2006 with a two-year completion timeline, but was stalled in October 2008 and has remained unfinished for 18 years.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with the contractors, consultants and officials of the National Library of Nigeria, Alausa warned that the federal government would no longer tolerate indefinite delays in the project’s completion.

He disclosed that the government would provide the necessary funding but would demand commensurate performance, quality and accountability from those executing the project, while the contractors would be penalised for breaches.

According to the minister, the government will establish realistic delivery timelines, with new contractual arrangements that include incentives and disincentives to ensure compliance and accelerate project progress.

Moreover, the project has also been divided into physical infrastructure and furnishing components, which would now be pursued concurrently to hasten completion.