The Edo State Government has commenced the rehabilitation of the centuries-old Benin Moat, figuring out seven areas for restoration as a part of efforts to protect the historic monument and develop its tourism potential.
The Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tourism, Dr Munirat Antoinette Lecky, disclosed this in an unique interview with LEADERSHIP whereas outlining the administration’s Benin Moats Rehabilitation Project.
She mentioned the initiative was designed to deal with encroachment, indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental degradation threatening the traditional defensive system.
Lecky mentioned the federal government was dedicated to restoring the heritage website, noting that years of neglect had left a number of sections coated by vegetation, refuse and buildings.
(*7*) she mentioned.
The Benin Moat, also called the Benin Iya or Walls of Benin, is a historic earthwork believed to have been constructed round 1460 AD to guard the traditional Benin Kingdom towards invaders.
However, sections of the monument now face encroachment, erosion and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, elevating considerations concerning the preservation of the dominion’s cultural heritage.
According to Lecky, the Edo State Tourism Agency is main the rehabilitation mission in collaboration with EdoGIS, the waste administration company and Edo Parks and Gardens.
She mentioned the businesses had been working to establish genuine sections of the moat, take away amassed waste, stop additional encroachment and sensitise residents to the significance of defending the historic website.
“We have identified about seven spots that we could potentially turn into something,” she mentioned.
Lecky disclosed that the intervention had commenced on the Mission Road part, the place fencing on one facet had helped discourage residents from dumping refuse.
She added that handbook excavation had begun to take away amassed waste, whereas consciousness campaigns had been being carried out in surrounding communities.
Describing the moat as a heritage asset fairly than a dumpsite, the tourism adviser mentioned its correct upkeep might entice guests from inside and outdoors Nigeria.
“It is actually a heritage site. If you maintain it well, you see that people from all over the world want to come to your community,” she mentioned.
Lecky defined that EdoGIS was serving to the federal government distinguish authentic sections of the moat from channels created by erosion and years of environmental degradation.
On the restoration plan, she mentioned the federal government wouldn’t reconstruct the whole defensive system however would introduce options to assist guests recognise and admire the preserved sections as historic websites.
“The first step is to clean up and prevent it from being used for waste. The next step would be to figure out what we can put there to resemble something. Obviously, we don’t rebuild the whole walls, but some elements that will help people know that this is a historic site,” she mentioned.
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