outline action plan · during the reign of oba ogbeka about 1370 a.d. Émigrés from benin founded...
TRANSCRIPT
1
BENIN CITY WALLS AND MOATOUTLINE ACTION PLAN
By:
CATECH CONSULTANTS
(Abakare & Partners)
2
INTRODUCTION
We are excited by the opportunity of this presentation on the Benin Moat –
a gigantic monument in the rich histories of the Benin Empire, Edo
land and Nigeria. We take liberties to point out that huge problems stand
ominously to wipe out the great heritage. These problems have their roots in human behaviour vis-à-vis urban growth without a Master Plan and development without the amenities to cope with modern living.
The presentation looks at thefollowing:
Benin City wall and Moat as a heritage and a National Monument.
The discussion is based on the present status of the monument; the problems being encountered in its preservation; and the way forward.
Benin City is one of the oldest cities in Nigeria. It was the seat of a Kingdom and an empire which started to decline as the influence of Europeans grew in West Africa. Its situation worsened after the Benin Expedition of 1897, but that did not diminish its importance in Nigeria and West Africa.
3
In 1963 it became the capital of the Mid-West Region. In 1967 it was the capital of Mid-West State which became Bendel
State. Today, it is the capital of Edo State.
Mythology has Igodomigodo, now Benin City, as the centre of the World. Several people migrated from the City to develop areas near and far away. The Ga
of present-day Ghana emigrated about the beginning of the 14th century; the Urhobos
migrated to Abraka
during the reign of Oba Ogbeka
about 1370 A.D. Émigrés from Benin founded Onitsha
in the 16th century.
Topography:
The general topography of Benin City can be described as a portion of a low, heavily forested, sandy plateau sloping gently from north-east to south-
west. The map next shows the site of the city.
40 1 2 3
Topography
Residential surface hollows
River
Flood Plain/River Catchment Area
100 contour lines
Legend
Ikpoba
River and Ogba
Stream are natural basins for drainage.
Past basins for storm water were at Oghod’egun, Oghod’Oza
etc.
5
..
OK ABERE
OK A I
Radial RoutesCircular RoutesCity Walls
EXISTING CITY FORM
Road Pattern
Circular RoadsLocal Street GridsOrganic radial pattern of
roads.
City’s growth is annular in form with rings of residential developments within a system of circular roads.
The City plan shows imprints of British Colonial rule i.e. GRA (Government Residential Area)
6
It has been documented elsewhere that in Benin City and its immediate surroundings, there are about 100 miles of earth walls and ditches. These date back to the 13th and the15th centuries. Surveys in 1962 and
1964 revealed that these walls form contiguous enclosures around the City, extending outwards to cover an area West of Ikpoba
River. The walls and moats were described as:
outer walls.inner walls.
The inner wall had a primarily defensive function.
7
BENIN CITY –
SYSTEM OF EARTH WALLS AND DITCHES
Inner City Walls Outer Walls
8
In the course of preparing this presentation the planning team visited parts of the city walls and moat indicated on the map below.
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12
4 3
S T. p a u l's
C a t h e d r a l
5
S T.
S T.S T.
21
S T.
O R E G B E N I
E K H A T O R
O S
E M
WE
NKH
A S
T.O
BA
S E
K I
S
T.
I G I
E S
O T
A
S T
.
C L O S E P
A P
E R
M
I L
L
R A M A TP A R K
To Auchi/Abuja
To AsabaTo L
agos
The Oba's Palace Portions of city wall & moat visited
CITY WALL AND MOAT
9
Benin has a great historical and cultural heritage. Much of her historical record lies hidden in artefacts; other records were oral before the coming of Europeans in the 15th century. Artefacts were pillaged during the Benin Expedition of 1897; Oral records have been diluted by time and the weaknesses of human memory. In such cases historical monuments become more acutely significant and have to be given due care and attention.
How the general topography of the land might be used in the drainage of the city does not appear clear to advisers of government. That tempts them claiming that the moat is ready made for drainage and therefore cheaper for the purpose. They have defined the moat as a “catchment
area”
for storm water and have used it whenever convenient. In the process they
have created the following problems:
●
Erosion of the moat walls and sometimes, mudslides ●
Growth of weeds, trees and plants
●
Human actions such as excavation and sometimes
landfill through refuse dumping and deliberate earth-
fill.
●
Urban development without Master Plan.
10
In some parts of the City, the moat is seen as:
•
an open sewer
•
general depository for debris and refuse of all kinds
Moat along Murtalla
Mohammed Way as refuse dump.
11
Moat along Murtala
Mohammed Way as refuse dump.
12
Moat rendered shallow as a result of refuse dumped along Murtala
Mohammed Way.
13
Excavation!
Remains of the original wall can be seen along Murtala
Mohammed Way.
14
The moat is almost filled up along Ogiefa
Street, off Upper Uwa
Street.
15
Moat overgrown by vegetation along Ogiefa
Street off Upper Murtala
Mohammed Way
16
A new earth road constructed across the moat to link Ahano
Street off Upper Uwa
Street.
17
Encroachment along Ogiefa
Street off Upper Murtala
Mohammed Way.
Heap of refuse by the side of the City Wall, Ahanor
Street.
18
It is no less serious along Mission Road. Remains of the original city wall can be seen along this Road,
Dimunitive
Signpost warning against dumping
19
A degraded moat barely survives here along Mission Road
Refuse keeps coming; The
moat along Mission Road
20
A denuded moat hosts a farm
21
Contractors delivering the coup de grâce!
Construction work going on by the side of the city wall
along Costain
Road by Ewah
Road.
22
A modern shopping complex stirs where the moat once lay! The City wall is demolished; in its place a shopping Plaza is built along Upper Forestry Road. All arms of Governments including the National Commission for Museums and Monument could not stop the building due to woolly laws and poor town planning regulation. The Chairman, Oredo
Local Government is now standing firm; he wants it demolished.
23
Existing Legal Framework:
The protection and preservation of the city walls and moat is the duty of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCM&M). Part II section 18 of the Legal instrument setting it up forbids any person to wilfully destroy deface, alter, remove or excavate, but no punishment is prescribed for infraction.
The NCM&M in Benin City has a committee made up of:
1. Respected Benin Palace Chiefs, and2.
Some staff of the Benin Museum
The Committee monitors encroachment and destruction of the walls
and moat. The NCM&M has also embarked on using the media to sensitize the people on the importance of the City Walls and the Moat. They erected billboards at some points, but these are few and hardly noticeable, for their sizes. Generally these efforts are insufficient in the absence of law enforcement by the Police Authorities.
24
The NCM&M also sought assistance of the host community towards moat and wall- Restoration- Reconstruction- Preservation- Conservation- Maintenance and- Monitoring
But there is no clear indication and direction of the assistance
when they provide no funds to backup their request.
The Edo State Government also set up a committee on demolition of illegal structures on government property. But progress has been mired in equivocation and inaction by the government. Attitudes thus exhibited have always encourage the people to do what they will.
There is a general belief in Benin City that every government has paid lip service to this national monument. They believe, too, that governments have not provided money for works needed to be done on the moats and walls.
25
They wonder why year after year, budgets do not provide a kobo for these obvious purposes. Dire need now stirs everyone in the face because the moat will not survive much longer. Concerned citizens of Nigeria
and the world must act now or the moat will be lost to humanity forever.
ARE THE WALLS AND MOAT IMPORTANT?
Of course yes. Preserved relics are the stuff of historic cities; they contribute to their feel and identity. A city as ancient and full of tradition as Benin City, should retain features and relics of its past. Insensitivity and corrupt rapid urbanisation easily destroys relics wreaking havoc
on the authenticity of oral history. The moat and the walls are monumental engineering and management projects done before the earthmover and the bulldozer. What tools did the people use? How did they manage the workers who must have numbered several thousands so early in the
history of the modern world? Binis, Edo, Edo state and Nigeria must let the world find out. This legacy must live.
26
Within the existing built-up area of Benin City, there are some 7km of the moat with marked variations in the overall dimensions, appearance and condition of both structures. In some parts of the city, buildings have shut them out of view. Where visible and accessible, much of the wall
has been overgrown by vegetation or has been vandalised through excavation.
Yet, these neglected or vandalised walls and moat are the most visible of the sad relics of Benin’s historic past, today. The destruction needs to stop now; restoration must follow immediately if mankind is not to lose the famous legacy forever. All the roads across the moat must be replaced by bridges. If government built one bridge today, it would have shown the people and the world that the era of tears over damages and the inaction that usually followed, have become things of the past. Let the huge efforts of our heroes past not be in vain.
Master Plans
Master Plans for Benin City prepared in 1970 by Poulson
of the United Kingdom and another by Messrs Obayiuwana
& Associates in collaboration with Da-Men Konsult
in 1992, preserved the city walls and the moat.
27
Unfortunately none of these Master Plans is being implemented. Benin City is growing and expanding rapidly, today without a Master Plan. This MUST NOT BE, if we must preserve these and other relics. Old Master Plans need to be revised and updated immediately.
The fact of the matter is that Master Plans contain issues for Action Plans or schemes; in this case and among other things, the city Wall and Moat. Action Plans or schemes are Detailed Plans, which flow from a Master Plan. The City walls and moat should have benefited from this fact, but the Master Plans for Benin City are not being implemented. When will
the state government update and enforce a Master Plan?
It is urgently necessary for the Federal, State and Local Governments, in partnership with the private sector, to:
Put in place legal frameworks, which include punishment for infraction, for the protection, preservation and restoration of the walls and moats.
28
EXISTING RESIDENTIAL
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL
VALLEY AREAS
FEDERAL BUILDINGFB
FLOOD BASIN
MAJOR HIGHWAYINSTRUCTIONS
EXISTING INDUSTRIAL
PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL
RIVER
M MILITARY
SAQ STATE GOVT ACQ
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTORS(DUAL CARRIAGE WAY 4 LANES)
PROPOSED RECREATION
EXISTING RECREATION
P
NEPA HIGH TENSION LINE
HOSPITAL
FEDERAL GOVT. ACQFAQ
H
INSTITUTIONAL
TRADITIONAL GROUND
SETTLEMENTS
EXISTING AIRPORT
PROPOSED AIRPORT
A T
COMMERCIAL
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL
MOAT
TECHNICAL SCHOOL
PROPOSED BY- PASS(PRIMARY DISTRIBUTORS)
S
PUBLIC
PLANNING AREA
PROPOSED BY- PASS
SECONDARY SCHOOL
AGRICULTURE
OIL PIPE LINE
INTERMEDIATE RING ROAD(4 LANES)
RAILWAY LINE PROPOSED
RAILWAY TERMINALS
LOCAL GOVERNMENTBOUNDARY
BUREAU OF LANDS AND SURVEYSGOVERNOR’S OFFICE, BENIN CITY.
Akwakwa
Uregbin
Dedemisi Camp
Igogogin
Ogiza
Obayantor
Iguikpe
EvborohunEvbiyomwanru Camp
Evbiyomwanru
Umegbe
OVIA SOUTH WEST
OkooromaIgbobi
IgoObagie
EvbolekpenObazua
Igunie
Uhotor
ObanyotorM
Uweyoba
Ulemo Camp
Ebowe
Oghede
Evegie
Okus CampEvbolekpen
Sch
OkomwereKwale
Oghogho Evporo Sch
Orovie
OgunwenyiAgigbigi
Iguosa
Ogboyoko
Obagbon
Evbodia
Ogba
OkoS
A
8
1Ebo
FB
Etete
IteOgbovben
RofieIgoge
Iguosula
Odogho Camp
Agbonlaho Camp
Itoramo
Emiaghan
Adoye Camp
Agbayau Camp
Iguosodin
Omi
Utoka
Iguosagban
ArahIguzama
Iguedlor
Obagie
Isobo Camp
Ohogua
2322
Okhunmwum
Iguoshodi - NebudinIyekezie
Asayito
Ojogbede
IguomoOld IyekezieAgbonmoba
Iguomo
OkhaOba
Ubie
Obaretin
Uroho
Udehen
Utesi
Ohoghodi Evbuomama
Edo Camp
Uwosan
UrohoOba
10
11
122
Agiyo Camp
ObenevbueriboFAQ
OgunEKAE
Evboriaria
SAQ Utezi
Ulegu
Ohere
UgborOkavborhanp
13P
15SAQ
14
3
2
FB
Oka
OkaOkavhogu
IdumanwunivdiodeUgbeku Avbiama
Obazagbon
Okondovi
OgheghaOvbieko
Egor
Egor
Ovahro Uwelu Uselu
Ugbowo
Isihor
ObasekiCamp
Idunmwowna
Iguosa
Ekosodi
Oluku
FHA
Urhobo CampUtekon
EdosowanIguehan
UteEchuwa
Ikpoba Dam
UNIVERSITY OF BENINH S
S I Ikpoba DamHotel
AduwawaFB
FBFB
Sch.
Sch.Sch.
Sch.Sch.Sch.
Sch.
S S
SS
SSS
Use
Ago Osakwe
Oghoghugbo BENIN- CITY
UNIBEN
AIRPORT
Ikpoba Oregbeni.
OteteOgbesan
NNPC
Sch.
Pump Stn
Ikpoba River
20
19
OriaAhor
UhegeEkose
Uzalla Ayen
EdumegaIdumwunha
Igweowieoba
Evbokhuenbo
Evaen
Urora
S.A.O
Iyanamo
Oojeva
Amufi
Oil
Pipe
Lin
e
Power Tr
ansm
ission
Line
Ikhuen - Niro
Okeze
Okmoaihe
Uhkirhi
Evbiakagba
Idumohen
IkpeOhen
Obagie
Evbogida
SS
SS
9
6
OVIA NORTH EAST
UHUNMWODE
EKIADOLOR
309000 340000 343000 345000 347000 349000 351000 353000 355000 357000 359000 361000 363000 365000 367000 369000 371000
2400
24200
24400
24600
24800
25000
25200
25400
25600
250
250 25800
26000
26200
26400
26600
26800
27000
27200
27400
27600
CLIENT SCALE: 1:85,000
DATE: OCT., 1992
PROJECT
BENIN CITY MASTER PLAN.
DRAWING NUMBER
BC\ MP\ 92\0
CONSULTANTS:
DA- MEN KONSULT AND FESTUS OBAYIWANA & CO
N
THE BENIN MASTER PLAN
29
Enforce implementation of a Master Plan for Benin City and otherareas with legacies of moats and walls without further loss of time.
• The aims of the joint action are to restore, preserve, improve the condition and maintain the walls and moat.
• And to identify and construct the nine ancient gateways to the city. Such a scheme will tell modern Edo, Nigerians and the world more
about the moat, its ramparts and their purposes in the annals of
the Great Benin Empire. This is what is done in many historic cities
worldwide.
A town planning scheme should carry out detailed surveys of all encroachments on the walls and moat and determine their extent, including lengths of walls destroyed. Where landfill or erosion has taken place, it should determine the current depth of the moat. In areas
30
where the moat and walls have been completely breached through building encroachments and where they have both become completely inaccessible, it should determine the lengths of such breaches.
The following issues need deep and critical thinking:
Present inadequacy of legislation on the moat and lack of legislation on urban development matters have encouraged encroachment on the moat and the city walls.
What, after the town planning scheme earlier suggested, can we do to restore and preserve the whole of the inner moat?
How much of the outer moat can be restored and what must be done now to preserve what is left of it?
Shouldn’t we prepare detailed town planning legislation on stringent controls of developments near the city walls and moat for the House of Assembly. Such legislation should define the roles of the State and the Local Governments in the preservation of the moat.
31
Ultimately, town planning schemes and their legislative backing should encourage a pool of financial flows from the Federal, State and Local Governments for the preservation, maintenance and improvement of
the City Walls and Moat.