By: Alieu Kondoh
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Brig. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio has together with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and its sub-vented agencies conducted a tour and unveiled a plaque of the Old Fourah Bay College Building and also visited the National Railway Museum at Cline Town in Freetown.
This followed the Ministry’s visit few weeks ago to ascertain the status of the edifices.
The event is part of the package for the commemoration of the 60th Independence Anniversary and also historical, as President Bio becomes the first sitting president to visit the monument.
Articulating the purpose of the Presidential tour of the edifice, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt maintained that Tourism is now the backbone of development in Sierra Leone as President Bio has put tourism at the forefront of economic diversification.
She said the Ministry has been crying for far too long for government attention to be focused on tourism in term of protecting and preserving national monuments which show the legacies of the country and tell people about its history.
She stated that Sierra Leone’s contribution to education in the sub-region is immense and that the Old FBC edifice that was established in 1827 played an important part in attaining the name “Athens of West Africa” before it was relocated because of the Second World War, bringing to an end its 112 years stay at Cline Town.
She continued that the old FBC monument is one of the first declared heritages by UNESCO. She added that in order to continue the legacy of the Free Quality Education, they must transform this monument in its authenticity.
She revealed that government has committed funds to the restoration of the edifice.
Giving his address, President Bio said that the visit is to pay homage to the country’s history and draw the attention of Sierra Leoneans to what made us the Athens of West Africa.
Despite the challenges the country had faced over the years, the President assured that with his leadership and the resilience of the people, Sierra Leone will be a great nation. Because of the edifice, Sierra Leone led in education and attracted students from the sub-region, and to show their commitment to education, it is but prudent to pay homage to this great edifice, he maintained.
At the National Railway Museum, the President conducted a tour of the museum where he was shown historical monumental artifacts that are important in terms of the colonial history of Sierra Leone.