By: Yunus S Saliu
One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kerr Batch and Wassu Stones Circle, in Destination Gambia is now back on the radar as it is now one of not only the National Centre for Arts and Culture’s focus but Ministry of Tourism and Culture and other institutions under its purview – Gambia Tourism Board and Gambia Tourism Institute and Hospitality Institute.
Kerr Batch Stones Circle was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage lists and together with all the other sites particularly Wassu Stones Circle in 2003.
The two sites were visited by Honorable Hamat NK Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture with member of his entourage on Wednesday as his tourism facilities tour 2020 advance.
For preservation and reservation, the Minister of Tourism and Culture has reassured the community of Nianija of rehabilitating the Kerr Batch Stones Circle to its better position as soon as possible from its present derogating situation.
“Everybody aware that Stones Circle is a unique heritage sites that can be found in country like Egypt among other places and Gambians need to know about their history so once the facility is improved family, friends and tourists will able to visit and relax,” Minister Bah retorted.
As work will commence soon to rehabilitate the museum he opined that it is not only the National Center for Arts and Culture show but the Gambia Tourism Board, Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute and other investors too have roles to play to improve the site. “In particular that the government is investing in tourism expansion program, one of the reasons the government is training the youth in advance on how to manage those facilities,” he noted.
As Tourism and Culture is now a priority sector in the country’s National Development Plan, the Minster disclosed that government has already provide fund for the reconstruction of the museum in Kerr Batch Stones Circle.
Giving history of the stones circle, Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of National Centre for Arts and Culture said the stones are burial side for the important and notable people in the society.
Apart from Kerr Batch and Wassu Stones Circle he said there are ten thousand sites in the country which might even look more beautiful more than these two areas.
He alluded to the words of the Minister that as soon as possible work will commence in Kerr Batch Stones Circle to reconstruct the museum.
DG Hassoum dilated on the importance of the site which include the historical value to the country, job creation and employment for the locality, spreading the history and culture of the people of the locality and significantly, to promote tourism product.
He therefore assured the community of Nianija that all the items moved from Kerr Batch museum to Wassu museum will be returned immediately job completed in Kerr Batch Stones Circle as everything is in good shape.