Drama Looms As Host Community In Abia Threatens To Sack National Library Over Unpaid Rent

According to a report by Daily Post, there is currently  a strong indication that the National Library of Nigeria, Abia State branch might cease to exist soon.

This is because of the inability of the Abia State government to pay the rent of the building housing the Library.

Speaking to Journalists in Umuahia on the development, Mr. Enang Efoli who leads the National Library of Nigeria, Abia State branch, disclosed that the National Library in the state has been served a quit notice by the host community, Ohokobe, Umuahia North LGA.

Efoli, who told Journalists that the state government rented the Ohokobe town hall, Umuahia for a take-off in the year 2010 with the assurance of paying the N1.5 million annual rent, alleged that the previous administrations in the state released only a total of six million naira to the Library since 2010.

He cautioned that the National Library may be relocated from Abia State if nothing was done.

Efoli also appealed to Governor Alex Otti and other well-meaning Abians to immediately intervene on the matter as a failure may lead to total closure and relocation of the National Library from Abia.

He also expressed displeasure that the Library is presently located in a hall near a market square, with churches around it, making the place non-conducive for reading and studying, saying that a library should be in a quiet place.

“The Ohokobe community had once threatened to lock up the office because of our inability to pay the rent but after much persuasion, they rested the move. It was during this period that the government managed to release N6 million for the accumulated rent and it was the first and the last time.

“Presently, they have given us a Court injunction to vacate the place, that they want to renovate their hall

“I will not be happy to see Abia lose the National Library”, Enang Efoli cried out.