By Assam Unwana

The other day, I visited the prestigious Amalgamation House in Ikot Abasi, and I must say I was deeply disappointed by the state of the building and the entire facility that was supposed to serve as a rich tourism site.

 

Amalgamation House, where Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, known as Sir Lord Lugard, once lived and had his office, the Bridge of No Return, the Jetty, and even the Marine Police Base are all in deplorable condition.

 

It is disappointing to see such historically significant sites in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area left by the state government to deteriorate, while the governor keeps spending the state resources on frivolities.

 

One is therefore tempted to ask: What exactly is the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism doing? And what has he been doing?

 

Oh, the organisation of the Christmas Carol in Uyo?

 

So, when the Akwa Ibom State Government repeatedly tells us that “Akwa Ibom is the Tourism Destination,” does that destination begin and end in Uyo? Na question I ask, and I wish someone would answer.

 

How can the Akwa Ibom State government claim to be a major tourism destination when a monument as historically significant as Amalgamation House is practically dead, neglected, and almost abandoned?

 

How?

 

Even more shocking is the fact that, despite its deplorable and dilapidated condition, the facility still generates revenue for both the state and local government.

 

Where does that revenue go, and what exactly is it being used for?

 

We all know that, in this part of the world, we have a very poor culture of maintaining public infrastructure. But given the enormous emphasis the Akwa Ibom State Government places on culture and tourism, and its constant projection of Akwa Ibom as a tourism destination, one would reasonably expect a place of such historical importance to be properly renovated, preserved, and brought up to standard.

 

Okay, since the governor claims to be too prudent with Akwa Ibom money, if he considers a complete renovation to be too expensive, why not at least take immediate steps to protect what remains? The main building could be structurally secured and roofed to shield the original structure, historical artefacts, and documents from further deterioration.

 

I doubt anyone would visit Amalgamation House today and leave without feeling disappointed by what they saw.

 

It is particularly sad that while the Akwa Ibom State Government continues to spend huge resources on organising the annual Christmas Carol in Uyo and subsequently promotes the state as a tourism destination, a monument of immense historical value in Ikot Abasi is being allowed to decay.

 

The Akwa Ibom State government should be quickly reminded that tourism, as much as we know, is not, perhaps, only about painting Itam flyovers, Ibom Plaza and the organization of Christmas Unplugged every December. That’s not tourism.

 

Tourism is about preserving the history, heritage, age, and stories that make a place worth visiting.

 

If the State government really means well about Akwa Ibom as a tourism destination, then they should shift from singing it in the newspaper, on the microphone, and on the radio to building real tourism sites, and their tourism strategy must extend beyond Uyo.

 

Having said that, the State Government needs to urgently renovate and preserve Amalgamation House and the surrounding historical sites so that visitors can experience the richness of Akwa Ibom’s heritage.

 

The local government authority also has a responsibility. It should do more than collect revenue from the site. It must invest in its maintenance, improvement, and preservation.

 

A place like that that carries a people’s history should not be allowed to become a monument to their neglect.

 

The quarter or abi house that the Tourist Guides stay in is nothing to write home about. Looks like where herders stay.

 

The government should also renovate it.