The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Comrade Julius Laye, has called on the Federal Government to speedily complete the National Library Complex, located opposite the Silverbird Galleria in the Swali area of Yenagoa.
Comrade Julius stated this while on a tour of reading facilities in the state capital, as part of ANA’ Bayelsa’s drive to commemorate this year’s World Book Day.
The ANA Bayelsa helmsman, along with members of his Executive, including the Vice Chairman, Amatare Mozimo, Publicity Secretary, Dr. Eyinimini Agoro, and Mrs Peremobowei Fatai, the Financial Secretary, reiterated that having befitting libraries, is one sure way of boosting reading and writing culture amongst youths to deter them from social vices.
While commending the Federal Government for including Bayelsa in the National Library Project, which began about a decade ago, Comrade Laye was quick to remind the National Assembly of their oversight functions and allotment of funds to see to the final completion of the National Library Project in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.
“It’s a good project. But its completion is taking too long. The edifice is great and compelling. Its location is central and assessible. As writers, we embrace the National Library Project in Bayelsa. We can’t wait to put it to use.”
Laye, who is also the incumbent State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), charged the Bayelsa State Government to follow the steps of the Federal Government by reconstructing and refurbishing the State Library which was named after the literary Icon, the late sage, Dr. Gabriel Okara, as it is in a sorry state of disrepair and a death trap to users!
“We call on Governor Diri to refurbish and reconstruct the Dr Gabriel OKARA STATE LIBRARY, located beside the Former Diamond Bank, at the Central Business District. It’s an eyesore. It needs to be pulled down and rebuilt. Books need to be provided and the environment must be made conducive for research work and pleasure reading. It should be made to be totally conducive. With state of the e-library,” he said.
As the global literary community marks the World Book Day, it is pertinent that Government and other stakeholders must see the need of ensuring that public libraries are readily available to assist writers and other users in so as to give a boost to education in Bayelsa State.
