Gov Eno begins restoration of tourism relics in Akwa Ibom

By, Maxwell Nwafor, Akwa-ibom

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Charles Udoh said the state government has begun the process of restoring and resuscitating some tourism relics in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Uyo, ahead of the World Tourism Day, Udoh mentioned some of the relics to include the 1914 Amalgamation house, Mary Slessor’s legacy; the Slave boat around the marina beach in Nwaniba, and IkotAbasi; Location of 1929 Women riot among others.

He said the essence of the restoration was to build a strong tourist attraction for the state which would in turn bolster the economy and create employment noting that tourism in some climes serves as a major source of economic growth.

He regretted that Akwa Ibom had lost fortunes over the years due to its inability to tap the tourism opportunities of those sites saying that governor Umo Eno was determined to promote the tourism sector by channelling resources and ensuring they generate income to the state even beyond his administration.

He said the state was cautious in its restoration process so as not to alter the arctic nature of the structures hence its call for experts that would handle the projects without adding modern features.

Udoh hinted that the transatlantic slave trade boat has been fully restored and would be unveiled during the first ever boat regatta and fishing festival during the world tourism day at Marina Beach.

According to him, “Here, we are blessed because history favours us from the historical relics we talked about. From the story on the amalgamation of Nigeria, to the slave trade, the 1929 women riot which was wrongly credited to somewhere else.

“His Excellency has charged all of us to see how we can take advantage of all those things that we have. He is also passionate about trying to provide new opportunities in the tourism sector to boost job creation and poverty alleviation.

“In the world, tourism is the highest employer of labour anywhere because tourism cuts across everything, agriculture, education, medical, sports and even religion.

“The truth is that Akwa Ibom has lost something though I may not quantify it because there is no empirical data to ascertain that but when you look at Kigali in Rwanda, a country rising from the rubbles of destruction, becoming a tourist destination, that tells you we are losing something.

“If you come to Gambia, the shoreline of Gambia is smaller than the shoreline of Mbo not to talk of Ibeno or Eastern Obollo and that’s(tourism) the major driver of the economy of that country. What about Kenya, Dubai? Dubai first of all had an Airline to boost its tourism sector and Akwa Ibom has an airline which shows that the potentials are huge in the state.

“When I talk about restoration, it means that if this is what was there in 1914, you need to replicate as closely as possible in terms of materials, in terms of paints etc. If you bring in modern materials, it’s no longer an Amalgamation House for instance, that’s why we look for services of experts.

“Meanwhile, the restoration work on the slave boat has been completed, it is just branding that is remaining. The community and community leaders were so excited and they volunteered a lot of information, so what you’re going to see are marble plaques listing the names of the great great grandfathers who were exported through Nwaniba into slavery.” He said.