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By Akpan David, Calabar
Cross River State government is set to enliven activities and traffic inflows into the Old Residency, the first seat of federal power in Nigeria as well as the Slave History Museum in Calabar.
Commissioner for culture and tourism in Cross River State, Eric Anderson disclosed that a Committee has been formed, headed by director of education in the ministry of education to draw up schedules for schools in the he state to take turns to visit the two places and learn history.
He said the government is also working to lift restriction into the Old Residency, stating that this would some of the ways to boost tourism in the state
Anderson explained that the government had to cordon off vicinity of the Old Residency due to threats of insecurity.
He disclosed this when the leadership of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel in he state, led by its chairman, Mrs Eme Offiong of Voice of Nigeria (VON), paid him a courtesy call in his office in Calabar.
He explained that he state government had to cordon off the historical site which is adjacent to one of the presidential lodges as well as the official residence of the state governor due to criminal and violent activities in the eatery which is sandwiched by the important places.
Arising from drastic reduction of traffic of tourists and visitors to the Old Residency and its increasing dilapidated state, he said his ministry will soon resume its supports and regular impress to both the Old Residency and the Slave History Museum, both managed by the National Commission of Museum and Monuments – a federal agency.
“I know that both places do generate some revenue and this is remitted to their head offices, and the bureaucracy and stress of getting money out by the staff in Calabar are difficult. So we as a ministry will resume our usual supports and may be monthly impress to enable visitors and tourists come back. This way, they can use it to fix the buildings. I have held several meetings with them regarding this.
“As a way of sustaining frequency of visits to the two places, I have also set up a small committee headed by director of schools in the ministry of education. He is to draw up schedules for schools in the state to go on excursions every term to these places. We’re also working to see that other members of the public have access to the Old Residency.”
Anderson disclosed further that as a Nollywood actor himself it would not speak well of him if he does not facilitate the revamping of the cinema in the Marina Resort Calabar before he leaves office.
Towards this, he said his ministry has engaged a firm to handle it by end of the first quarter.
