Enugu - As the Good Governance Media Team moves to Enugu, the Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku has cautioned state governments against the demolition of historical buildings and artefacts.
Maku made the call in Enugu on Sunday while inspecting the ongoing re-construction of the multi billion naira state secretariat embarked upon by the stae government.
According to him, public buildings can feature as attractions for tourism. The idea is to preserve those old monuments as much as possible in its original form.
``Modernisation is not mainly the issue, but restoration; because if every building is demolished, many cities will lose their history.
``We see this everyday. People demolish structures because they are old. These structures give a history to the people,’’ Maku said.
The minister, however, commended the state government for embarking on the project as well as other housing projects for the people of the state.
Conducting the team round the projects, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Goddy Madueke, said the state government embarked on the secretariat project to re-energise the workers and increase productivity.
Madueke said that the government had spent a lot of money rehabilitating the old structures which gave rise to the construction of a new complex.
According to him, the complex worth N13 billion comprised 13 buildings of four wings.
He said that the project was being implemented by both foriegn and indigenous contractors.
The team also visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Polo Park Shopping Mall and the Coal City Garden Estate.
NAN