THE IMPACT OF MAINTENANCE OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS FOR TOURISM ATTRACTION IN NIGERIA

THE IMPACT OF MAINTENANCE OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS FOR TOURISM ATTRACTION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Every country with an interest in tourism needs to protect its historical and cultural buildings (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

The most common definition of historical buildings are buildings which have been formally declared to be of special architectural, historical and cultural significance and have been placed on statutory list compiled by the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (Zubairu S.N. & Adedayo O.F, 2012).

Tourism on the other hand is an important industry, and a powerful economic development tool based on local resources i.e., any place or object of cultural significance, both intangible and tangible deemed to be of cultural significance (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

Historical or heritage tourism (also known as cultural heritage tourism) is a branch of tourism that involves visiting historical or industrial sites and which is oriented towards the cultural heritage of the location where tourism is occurring.

It refers to cultural aspects which are of interest to the visitor and can be marked as such, including older buildings, the customs and traditions of people, their heritage, history and way of life (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

Because history or heritage is a good motivator for tourism, historic tourism often involves “travelling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.” (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

It also involves marketing of a location to members of a diaspora who have distant family roots for purposes of gaining an appreciation of the past.

An area that develops its potential for cultural heritage tourism creates new opportunities for tourists to gain an understanding of an unfamiliar place, people or time (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

As visitors arrive in an area, new opportunities for preservation are introduced. Well-interpreted sites teach visitors their importance, and by extension, the importance of preserving other such sites elsewhere.

However in virtually all the towns and city centers within Nigeria, historical buildings are gradually decaying, dilapidating and deteriorating with reduced or no degree of maintenance programme and activity.

From a normal visual perception, it can be noted that our historical buildings are in a very bad state especially the (selected building for this case study) because of lack of maintenance.

A view of the historical buildings shows there are no windows, doors, roof and other building elements and facilities are in bad state which show evidence of lack of maintenance and repair. Certain historical buildings have not seen right significant maintenance or show little signs of maintenance since they were constructed, some dating back to the colonial era. This has resulted in such buildings, some being in a dilapidated state with certain building being abandoned. This lack of maintenance by authorities and occupants of  these facilities often leads to reduced lifespan of these buildings, which invariably defeat the purpose for which they are put i.e. to ensure that the nation’s stock of buildings, both as a factor of production and accommodation, was used effectively as possible.

Source: Field survey

1.2 THE NEED FOR THE STUDY

The main argument is that historical buildings can be used as a resource for social cohesion and as a tool for sustainable tourism and local economic development. If well maintained and managed, historical tourism should impact positively on local economies and improve socioeconomic conditions in general (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

My views are based on the conceptualization of new growth path as demonstrated by Mzansi’s Golden Economy, which states that heritage, as well as culture and arts should go beyond social cohesion and nourishing the soul of the nation, and should begin to play a pivotal role in the economic empowerment and skills development of a people.

This is in recognition of the fact that in recent years, tourism based on heritage building resources has been pursued as an alternative to more traditional economies that have failed (Fana Jiyane, 2013).

To arrest this unsustainable situation, heritage building tourism has been rediscovered as important marketing tool to attract tourists who seek not only adventure, but who want to experience the culture, history, and arts of the receiving community.

1.3     STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Maintenance of historical buildings has not been given full recognition as an activity of primary importance in Nigeria (Tonni Ani 2014). This is because there is no perception that historical building contribute optimally to appeal tourists and to improve socio-economic conditions of local communities.

While there is much emphasis on good delivery of buildings and infrastructure projects, delivery does not in fact end with the commissioning of the building (Tonni Ani 2014).

Once the infrastructure has been commissioned, various activities must be carried out which are necessary to ensure that it continues to perform; such as the allocation of necessary budgets and the retention of appropriate staff to maintain the operation of the assets.“Delivery” needs to be universally understood as embracing not just constructing the building, but the appropriate operation and maintenance thereafter for the whole design life of the asset (Tonni Ani 2014).

1.4    AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the research is to assess the impact of maintenance of historical buildings for tourism attraction in Nigeria.

1.5 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To examine the various types of building maintenance systems

2. To assess the impact of maintenance of historical buildings for tourism attraction in Nigeria.
3. To examine the socio-economic importance of historical building to the society

1.6.    METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

1.6.1  DATA COLLECTION:

The research intends to use questionnaire, interview, internet and library method of data collection as regard to the study.

1.6.2  DATA ANALYSIS:

The method of data analysis used is Table, frequency and percentages and Chi Square.

1.7     SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The research work shall cover the study on the types of maintenance systems, the impact of maintenance of historical buildings for tourism attraction in Nigeria and the socioeconomic importance for maintenance of historical building (first storey building in Badagry).

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