ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’s Minister for Tourism and Heritage, Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga has announced a major plan to improve the islands’ leading tourist attraction- ‘the Zanzibar Stone Town’, to preserve its status as one of the renowned World Heritage sites.
He said that the development plan for Stone Town including its upgrade to a smart heritage city, is to be implemented alongside effective climate change mitigation efforts, which he identified as the biggest current threat to Zanzibar.
Speaking at a ceremony to re-open the historic ‘old customs house’ after undergoing extensive repairs, Mr. Soraga said the government is collaborating with Oman to transform Stone Town into a smart heritage city. The Old Customs House, located on Mizingani Street, had deteriorated due to moisture-related climate change impacts and will now serve as a cultural heritage center in the modern world.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the International National Trust Organisation (INTO) and the British Council for their support in restoring the Old Customs House. The building is managed by the Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society (ZSTHS), established in 2002 to support in its conservation efforts.
Mr. Dave Simpson from INTO pledges continuous collaboration with Zanzibar in mitigating climate change to conserve heritage buildings, and also advised the local authorities and people living in the city to take effective mitigation measures to reduce the impact. About 280m/- was spent on the Old Customs House repair project which started in June last year and completed last month.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to praise Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi for his unwavering dedication to ensuring that our heritage is preserved under all conditions. His actions speak volumes, as he continues to prioritize and champion the protection of Stone Town and other heritage sites across the islands,” the Minister said.
He equally commended, the President Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her steadfast commitment to heritage preservation at the national level, and boost tourism industry through her Royal Tour film.
Mr Soraga said in his speech at the celebration that activities to develop Zanzibar include increased public awareness and education on the importance of conservation; waste management (environment cleanliness and sanitation) in which 250 dustbins will be distributed, and the establishment leisure gardens.
“Repair or restoration of old buildings. The Oman government is already supporting us to restore the House-of-Wonders in the stone town,” Mr Soraga said, adding that other historical buildings such as the palace museum will be repaired.
He also said improving the drainage system, and outdoor electric wiring or electrical cable installation work will be carried out in a modern way to avoid scattered wires, “to have an attractive and well-organized city.”
Dr Abdallah Mohammed Juma, Director, Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage said the repair of old building, particularly the 35 buildings in bad condition, has been going on.
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“The Stone Town area has about 2,600 buildings out of which 35 are in the worst condition. The government has allocated 11bn/- for repair of the old buildings in stone town,” Dr Abdallah said as Ms Asha Ali Hassan acting Director General of the Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority (STCDA) called for joint efforts in conserving the city.