We’ll clean up Benin moat, says Edo Commissioner of Physical Planning

Worried by the sorry state of the historical Benin Moat and Walls, the Edo State Commissioner of Physical Planning, Mrs Isoken Omo, has pledged to work with other ministries to clean the cultural heritage.

Originally constructed by Oba Oguola who built the inner ring which compromises of Ogbe, Eheneden, Erhuhunmse, Iyaro and Third East Circular in the 13th century, the outer ring was built by Oba Ewuare 1 in the 15th century to stop people from fleeing the kingdom.

Mrs Omo confessed that the deplorable state of the moat which has been turned into a refuse dump by some city inhabitants was a cause for serious concern to the state government.

The commissioner, however, disclosed that cleaning up the moat which is the largest man-made trench in the world will require the cooperation of several ministries and departments.

She assured that very soon, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, the state government hope to roll out initiatives to arrest the deterioration of the ancient moats and walls which were declared a national monument in 1961.

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She said: “Cleaning up the moat and walls will require an inter-ministerial collaboration that cuts across several ministries. Apart from the Ministry of Physical Planning, there is the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Environment, Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and land administration in league with other stakeholders.”

Mrs Omo explained what the state government is trying to do now is to reclaim part of the moat within the Benin City master plan.

She disclosed that the state government intends to create a serious awareness of the benefits of the moat as a cultural heritage of the Benin people and a tourist attraction that could help to uplift the economy of the state.

Mrs Omo added: “The moat is the longest man-made trench in the world, longer than the Great Wall of China. It is in Edo and in Benin. It’s something we all should be proud of. We will try to educate Benin people to preserve their cultural heritage. Just like we create awareness which led to the return of some of our artefacts, we will educate people to keep the moat clean as a major heritage.”

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We’ll clean up Benin moat, says Edo Commissioner of Physical Planning