The Libraries locates at the Shendam and Pankshin Local Government Areas of Plateau state have remained dilapidated despite N12 million allocation for their renovation in the 2018 budget.
The Pankshin Library established in 1977 is designed to serve as a hallmark of knowledge and information at the Plateau Central District.
Good as the initiative sounds, the Library has since been allowed to go into severe dilapidation as a result of non-funding by the state government.
MAWA Foundation learned that the Library was last repaired 18 years ago, a repair that was carried out by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who repainted the building as part of their community assignment.
In the 2018 budget, the Plateau state government through the Ministry of Education and state Library Board set aside the sum of N6 million for the renovation of the Library.
Staff of the Library who did not want his name mentioned said books, chairs and tables in the Library have since been destroyed by rain as a result of leaking roofs and damaged windows.
Mr. Ireal Joseph, who claims to have used the Library, said apart from its dilapidated nature, the books are outdated and need to be replaced with current editions.
The Shendam Library bears the same characteristics, dilapidates and abandoned.
The Library workers say people do not make use of it because it is hugely dilapidated and needs renovation and to be properly equipped with books.
Also, in the same 2018 year, the sum of N6 million was released through the state ministry of education for the renovation of Shendam Library.
Two years after, nothing has been done while the Library continues to remain dilapidated.
Mr. Simon Mwanti, the Director of Plateau State Library Board who did not want to comment on the Library project for fear of being victimized by the state government, said they get budgetary approval for the Libraries renovation every year, but the monies are never released.
Credit: Udeme
