INSECURITY: Reactions trail proposed demolition of Awgu caves

The proposed demolition of Awgu caves ordered by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as part of measures to stem growing insecurity in the state eliciting mixed reactions and wide condemnation as many described the move as ill-conceived.

There is a general view that rather that demolishing the caves that have vital historical relevance the state government should convert the area to tourist sites which holds economic value.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Donald Igwegbu noted that while the reasons advanced for the demolition where genuine, the Ugwuanyi-led administration can the caves to something more meaningful.

“I fully recognise the reasons why our Governor has ordered the destruction of this Cave. I understand that criminals use it as a hideout to commit all manner banditries in our dear State’.

“However, I believe that Government can still turn this Cave to something more meaningful’.

He advised the state Government to build a Police Post near the Cave, develop it by building other tourist attractions and local Event Center around it.

“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in my view should visit the Cave, appraise it further and come up with a holistic developmental blueprint”.

“I strongly believe we can turn this seeming danger spot to a more meaningful tourist site if we embrace a more diverse intervention plan”.

“This is how societies create employment opportunities and develop in general”. He said.

On his part, the Director-General, Coal City Youths Initiatives, Comrade Johnpaul Ani said  his organisation has visited the site as part of its effort uncover huge opportunities available for economic emancipation of the youths and had recommended that the forest could serve as a tourist attraction.

“Making that forest a tourist attraction area was captured in our blueprint after touring the entire local governments of the state”.

“Anyone who tells the governor the TRUTH loves his administration and wants it to succeed”.

“Let’s start voting across Party lines. We need people with a clear vision, roadmap and competence to solve problem, save our teeming youths from destruction & gain the respect of the world.

“The election is over, let’s face the real governance”.

According to him, the Coal City Youths Initiative will not hesitate to commend the government where necessary, and constructively criticise where applicable regretting that “South East entirely keeps on failing woefully in the art of Governance”.

Also, the Awgu chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria has appealed the Enugu state government and security agencies in the state to devise alternative ways of addressing security challenges in the state rather than the planned destruction of their cultural heritage which they said has huge potential for revenue generation.

They made their position known in a statement jointly signed by the Council’s Coordinator, Comr Chukwuemeka Uche and Secretary, Comr Nweke Solomon Onyee”.

The statement reads:

We the youth of Awgu LGA under the umbrella of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Awgu LG Chapter first of all wishes to appreciate the state governor ,H.E Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his efforts so far in maintaining the peace in Enugu State and for how he has always worked closely with Awgu LGA Chairman , Hon Stanley Okeke, Rt Hon Toby Okechukwu and Awgu representatives in the State House of Assembly in responding to overwhelmingly desperate emergency situations facing Awgu LGA from his first term as governor till date. This we so much appreciate.

We also know that desperate situation needs desperate action and that the demolition order must have been in good faith considering the painful insecurity occurrences of the recent weeks which has left all of us in sorrow.

However; our opinion is that:

“Our heritage–both natural and cultural, ancient and modern–should be protected and preserved”* especially now that we have new universities springing up in Awgu LGA (one by the state government and the other private) with more in view. So we plead with H.E the governor to reconsider this order and the security experts to devise another approach.

While growing up we heard interesting stories about these caves which we can’t mention here and it will not be good for the coming generation to hear that these beautiful gifts by nature were demolished because some enemies of the land choose them as hiding places.

According to UNWTO, tourism has grown at an accelerated pace over the last few decades, with more than a billion tourists now travelling to an international destination each year. One of the main motivations of tourism is mankind’s inherent curiosity and desire to explore cultural identities across the world. Natural and cultural heritage sites, including scenic landscapes and revitalized historic towns, are prized tourism assets that distinguish one destination from another.

We urge the state government to consider maximizing the inherent potentials of these cave sites as revenue generating tourist attraction at this time the state is faced with dwindling federal revenue. Studies of tour operators and international tourists show that special-interest travel is booming and that the most popular special-interest tours are nature-oriented outdoor activities.

Instead of demolishing these caves, a well-equipped Forest Guard/Security Outposts with well trained personnel should be erected close to these sites to forestall any nefarious activities around there.  Access roads should be carved to these sites for easy movement. The government can adopt the tourism model of st kitts & Nevis, Cape Verde e.t.c.

We know we have an educated, clearheaded and listening governor (a fine quality), so we are very optimistic that he will consider the appeal of his people as we continue to support the efforts of H.E. in bringing a final end to insecurity in Awgu LGA.