Edo State Launches Benin Moat Restoration Project

The Edo State Government has commenced the rehabilitation of the Benin Moat, a historic earthwork constructed around 1460 AD, identifying seven locations for restoration. Dr Munirat Antoinette Lecky, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tourism, outlined the Benin Moats Rehabilitation Project aimed at preserving the monument and enhancing its tourism potential.

The project addresses issues such as encroachment, waste disposal, and environmental degradation that threaten the moat. Lecky noted that many sections are currently overgrown with vegetation or covered in refuse and buildings.

The Edo State Tourism Agency is leading the project in collaboration with EdoGIS and the waste management agency. Initial efforts have begun at the Mission Road section, where fencing has been installed to deter waste dumping.

Manual excavation to remove waste is underway, alongside awareness campaigns in local communities. Lecky emphasized the moat's importance as a heritage asset that could attract global visitors if properly maintained.