The National Library of Nigeria in Abia State has been sealed by owners of the rented property, following the non-payment of N13.2 million incured at the Ohokobe Mbaocha community hall, Umuahia North LGA.
The hall was reportedly rented to the National Library by the previous administration in Abia State in 2009 at N1.2 million per anum, but only N6 million was released by the state government in 2012.
Following their inability to recover the accumulated debt after failed appeals, the leadership and members of the community sealed Library with palm fronds, as authorised by the community society, Okonko.
Addressing Journalists on Tuesday, the Chairman of Ohokobe Mbaocha community, Nduka Awomukwu said his community has been maintaining cordial relationship with the staff of National Library but expressed worry over the heavy debt incured by the federal agency.
“This place was rented to the National Library by the previous administration of Chief T.A.Orji, Ochendo at N1.2 million per anum. His administration paid N6 million but his successor, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu did not pay anything even when we approached him.
” We have also approached the present administration in the state appealing for their intervention”
He noted that his community, apart from using the native court to seal the library building in Umuahia, may also use a conventional High Court to retrieve their property, which he said, could lead to the ejection of the National Library of Nigeria.
In his appeal to the Ohokobe Mbaocha community and Abia State government, the State Director of National Library of Nigeria Abia State branch, Mr Enang Ikpi Efoli, explained that the accumulated rent is Abia State government’s responsibility to pay.
According to him, the rent of any temporary structure occupied by the National Library of Nigeria in states, is paid by the host state until it provides land for the National Library of Nigeria to build a permanent structure.
He expressed fear that court materials, ISSN, ISBN documents, research and other Library services provided by his office will elude Abia if it relocates to another state
