A member representing Essien Udim State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, KSJI, has moved a motion calling for the restoration of the historic Amalgamation House.
The motion, presented pursuant to Order III Rule 1 of the House Standing Orders, highlighted the historical importance of the building located in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Prince Akpabio, a lawyer trained at the University of Uyo, explained that the Amalgamation House is the building where Frederick Lugard, also known as Lord Lugard, signed the document on January 1, 1914, merging the Northern and Southern Protectorates to form modern-day Nigeria.
The lawmaker further noted that the same building later served as the venue where the ceasefire agreement that ended the Nigerian Civil War was signed in January 1970.
According to him, the Amalgamation House holds immense historical value for Nigeria and possesses significant tourism potential for Akwa Ibom State. However, he expressed concern that despite its national importance, the structure has fallen into a state of severe disrepair.
Prince Akpabio lamented that the building has effectively been abandoned, with crumbling walls and an overgrown environment, warning that continued neglect could lead to the loss of an important national monument.
He added that restoring the historic structure would not only preserve a key part of Nigeria’s history but also boost tourism in the state, in line with the development objectives of the ARISE Agenda championed by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno.
The lawmaker therefore urged the House to mandate the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism to immediately undertake the restoration of the Amalgamation House in Ikot Abasi. He also called on the House Committee on Tourism to provide proper oversight to ensure effective implementation of the project.
The motion received unanimous support from lawmakers during plenary, who acknowledged the special place the Amalgamation House holds in both the history of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.