Explaining the significance of the various historical sites for tourist attraction and other educational purposes which will create revenue for Sierra Leone, Honourable Dixon Bella Fofanah also urged workers at the various sites to be committed in discharging their duties stating that an attractive museum creates employment opportunities for youth.
Giving an in-depth description of some of the artefacts and artworks at the National and Railway Museum, King yard’s Gate, old Fourah Bay College building and Saint John Maroon Church, Chairperson of MRC, Isatu Smith explained the essence of the tour with the new minister and government’s commitment in supporting the commission to embark on the first phase of such a laudable venture.
Madam Smith went on to say that with the demise of ” Sierra Leone Society in 1960s” the museum came under the control of the MRC and MCA thus became the Sierra Leone National Museum.
Madam Smith further commented on the effort of the German Embassy and United Kingdom Railway museum in supporting the extension of the National Museum.
According to Madam Smith, the King yard gate was the settlement where about 150,000 liberated African squadron were given humanitarian assistance to help restart their lives back home.
”Established in1895, the Sierra Leone Railway started its first passenger train service to the provinces in1898. The railway was closed in 1975 and the locomotive and carriages now forms major part of museum collection languished for 30 years and suffer from numerous acts of vandalism during the civil war” she added
Madam Smith also deliberated on the issue of illegal occupants in some of those historical sites and the delay in realising some of the needed funding over the years which according to her are some the challenges the commission is facing.