State Library In Yenagoa, Abandoned, Overtaken By Weeds, Reptiles

Those in search of knowledge and a serene environment to read in Bayelsa State, especially the state capital Yenagoa have deserted the state library because of its abandoned state.
The library which was built and equipped to some extent by the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha administration is now wasting away as not only have grasses grown on its roof top and the surroundings but trees now also grow on top of the roof, dilapidated tiles. There is no light and no water in the edifice .
In fact, a few library lovers who still manage to go there to read described the place as oven as all that is required for comfortable reading atmosphere is absent.
On a visit there, the whole edifice appeared like a ghost structure. The glass windows are broken with faded wall paints, bushy surroundings as reptiles are now competing with illegal occupants of the building that is rotting away.
Despite its abandoned state scanty reading activities still takes place them, it also serves as abode for illegal occupants who use some of the office apartments as living rooms.
An encounter with a squatter who had washed and was spreading her clothes, in a brief interview, disclosed that she is not a worker there but uses the place as her abode because she didn’t accommodation to put in town.
She added that a close friend made some contacts for her to stay there free of charge.
The down stairs of the edifice has been a wonderful host to the annual devastating flooding situations in the state.
The national library which had occupied part of the down stairs of the building was driven stairs as last year’s ravaging flood came calling.
They were forced to move stairs, and since then the stairs has been its temporary abode pending the completion of its permanent office complex around Swali Community, a suburb of the state capital Yenagoa.
Following the terrible state of the building, coupled with government’s nonchalant attitude to the plight of the library, most of its staff have sought for transfer to other paraststals .
A source who also spoke on the sorry state of the state library but craved anonymity noted that besides being a security threat to few people who still patronise the place because of their love for reading, various books donated by well-meaning organisations have been stolen because of the totally porous security around the complex .
“The place is a security threat to those who still patronise the dilapidated structure
“Even World class books donated by organisations have been stolen as electronic items also donated by some organisation have either expired or damaged because of none usage”.
A staff of the dilapidated edifice who pleaded anonymity expressed dismay that despite the emergency on education declared by the immediate past administration nothing was done to revive or renovate the library.
According to the source, throughout the period in question government ignored everything about the state library.
“This is a state library , there is no light, no water , no toilet . If you are pressed, you have go into the bush where, if you are not lucky, you could be a guest to reptiles around. This place is totally abandoned.
“The reading place is like an oven where you could be soaked to death because there is no ventilation, no fan or air conditioner
“Because of government’s attitude most staff now seek for transfer to other parastatals”, lamented a staff of the library who noted that the place is now like a punishment for civil servants posted there against their will.
When asked what they expect government to do in this situation, they said: “This place needs total renovation and should be equipped to befit a state library status”
The director of the library could not be reached as he was said to have travelled.
However, a source who spoke in lamentation said if the state must move from being an educationally backward state, there should be a complete renovation of the state library complex to encourage youths to imbibe the reading culture.
The place should be equipped to befit the status of a state library, he further demanded.
“We want government to carry out complete renovation of this library that is overgrown with trees and grasses everywhere. It is not befitting of a state capital.
“Water, light and security should be restored.”
“We are suffering here. No staff chairs and tables
“The Commissioner for education was here only last year, and since then we haven’t heard from him or the ministry” , said a staff .
However another source in the complex which is fast depreciating in all aspects says there are unconfirmed reports that the government is doing something about the renovation of the library as it has not been made public.
“There are plans to renovate and equip the place because we have been seeing various engineers from contractors come to take notes of what to be done
“But we haven’t seen anything from them .However we heard from unconfirmed sources that such proposals are on the governor’s table
“This place has been neglected for too long
“The Seriake Dickson-led administration had declared emergency on education but did not touch the library.
“Before the Dickson led administration the administration of Timipre Sylva was to equip the place before the abrupt end of his tenure .
“We have 50 Computer Systems donated by an organisation but most of them are bad now because they are not in use.
“A total revival of the place is needed,” he added on lamentation.
However, efforts to meet with the commissioner for education, Gentle Emela, was not possible as he was said to have travelled out of town. But a media aid attached to the Education Commissioner, Felix Ebe, who spoke in his behalf said plans are on top gear to carry out total renovation of the library complex .
He however said the place has been lying fallow from the previous administration but disagreed that it has been abandoned.
“Not true that the place has been abandoned.
“When Emela came on board as the education commissioner he visited and took inventory
“He reported the situation to the governor, although he has not heard anything from the governor since then.
“About two years after the visit nothing has happened,” noted Ebe who also assured that government is doing something about it.
“That library will soon wear a new look, members of the public should be patient,” he appealed.
But this assurance is coming on the heels of another election.
Some concerned citizens are worried that over three years into the Douye Diri-led prosperity administration the state library is still in a state of disrepair and abandonment.
In an interview, a civil servant who does not want her name in print noted that “more worrisome is the fact that governor Diri was a teacher, the education commissioner was also a teacher, yet they do not see library as an important means of promoting an educationally backward state like Bayelsa
“The duo should wake up and save the situation “, she advised.