LE Group Ltd - Infrastructure Consulting Engineers and Professionals
Western Area Peninsula Preservation and Restoration Projects and Initiatives
|
About Monuments and Relic Commission
In 1946 an ordinance was passed
'to provide for the preservation of Ancient, Historical, and Natural Monuments, Relics, and other objects of Archaeological,
Ethnographical, Historical or other Scientific Interest'. This ordinance set up the Monuments and Relics Commission as a corporate
body. The members, appointed by the government, receive no salaries, but only reasonable travelling expenses and subsistence;
they elect one of their number as chairman. All ethnographical items can be exported only by the express permission of the
Commission. By an amendment of 1962, 'ethnographical article' was taken to mean any item ‘made or fashioned before the
year 1937’.
In the early days, the Commission's source of revenue consisted of grants, donations, fees and subscriptions. In 1967 the Commission was placed under the direction of the Minister of Education, who granted it an annual subvention to carry on its work.
One of the most important changes that a 1967 amendment to the Monuments and Relics Ordinance (Act, since 1961) made was to give power to the Monuments and Relics Commission to 'acquire, maintain and administer the Sierra Leone Museum founded by the Sierra Leone Society and all things immovable thereunto pertaining, including the land and building situate at the Lucien Genet Gardens, Pademba Road, Freetown'. With the reorganization of ministries in 1973, both 'Monuments and Relics' and 'Museums' were placed under the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The current Chair of the Commission it Isatu Smith. (isatusmith1@gmail.com)
Keys to Success
Under powers granted to it by the 1947 ordinance, the Commission identified and declared a series of national monuments and relics, including Bunce Island, St. John's Maroon Church, the De Ruyter Stone of 1664, Old Fourah Bay College building and others.
It is the Commission’s avowed intention to ensure the development and continuation of this work of identification, collection, protection and dissemination in closer union and with greater involvement of the citizens of Sierra Leone in particular and of global village in general.
This means that the Commission is responsible for ensuring the preservation, protection and promotion of Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage. We do this by identifying important examples of our heritage that can be shared, enjoyed and studied by current and future generations..
The key to the success of this MRC relies in developing support to implementing this program within the medium term it has set.
|
MONUMENTS
and RELIC COMMISSION, SIERRA LEONE | ||||
|
PHASES to Achieve Restoration (Preservation and
Protections) | Physical Assessment Preservation and Protection Specification and Supervision | Relic Commission Administration to Inform Communities of Preservation and Protection Dissemination of restored Assets |
Implementation of Restoration activities. Local vetted Contractors | Mid-term Recommendations and proposal dissemination with Heritage Foundations |
| % Range of Distribution of Resources | 13-15% | 7 - 10% | 70 - 75% | 5- 10% |
| Implementer | LE Group Ltd | National Relic Commission | Local vetted Contractors | National Relic Commission/ Others. |
| Caretaker's house on Bunce Island: the roof, doors and windows have been removed by thieves | Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for superstructure, openings and substructures of this Asset. | Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize Bunce Island Community of impending restoration | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage Organization within outside of the country |
| Gateway to King's Yard, Connaught Hospital: Stone Arched structure deteriorates under with weather actions | Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for damages to stone arch structure. Apply weathering proof to maintain natural look of this asset. | Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize Bunce Island Community of impending restoration | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage Organization within outside of the country |
|
PHASES
to Achieve Restoration (Preservation and Protections) | Physical Assessment Preservation and Protection Specification and Supervision | Relic Commission Administration to Inform Communities of Preservation and Protection Dissemination of restored Assets | Implementation of Restoration activities. Local vetted Contractors | Mid-term Recommendations and proposal dissemination with Heritage Foundations |
| St. John's Maroon Church: Supplemental works | Assess ongoing improvements and supplement preservation and protection drawing repairs of perimeter walls and building facades | Direct Administration of this project and informacials to create awareness of proposed works on this urban asset | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
| St. Charles' Church Regent: Foundational preservation work
| Assess ongoing improvements and produce supplement preservation and protection drawing repairs of perimeter walls and building facades, Access and Interior. | Direct Administration of this project and informacials to create awareness of proposed works on this urban asset | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component. Alternatively, contribution made to the church Development funds with guidelines for future restoration work | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
| The Firing Point and Four Guns near the Old Wharf at Dublin, Banana Island: Relocation and hosting of Cannons at original locations
| Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for construction of wooden carriages for the cannons and mitigation of cannon decay. Inclusive of directives for safe return to location.
| Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize Banana Island Community of impending restoration. | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
| Two Old Tombstones in the Cemetery at Dublin, Banana Island: Clearing and Restoration of Tombstones
| Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for preservation and protection of repairs to the tombstones | Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize Banana Island Community of impending restoration. Inclusive of clearing of the area of the cemetery the tombstones are located |
Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
| Old Wharf Steps: by Sierratel HQ: Stone stair repair
| Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for preservation and protection of Stone stairs | Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize Area Communities of impending restoration | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
| The De Ruyter Stone: Unearthing and Protection from Dumping of Trash. | Assess and produce Repair Drawings set for preservation and protection of repairs of the De Ruyter Stone Consideration given to reinforced transparent glass over it with railings around it for protection
| Direct Administration of this project and Informacials to sensitize King Jimmy Community of impending restoration. Inclusive of clearing of the area of the De Ruyter Stone. | Contract Administration and Payment of Works and Reporting of this project component | Structured Dissemination of recommendations this project component implementation findings as well as future proposals to Heritage/Foundations Organization within outside of the country |
MONUMENTS and RELIC COMMISSION, SIERRA LEONE
Photos of Proclaimed
Assets
| Caretaker's house on Bunce Island
|
| The Firing Point and Four Guns near the Old Wharf at Dublin, Banana Island: |
|
| Gateway to King's Yard, Connaught Hospital:
|
| Two Old Tombstones in the Cemetery at Dublin, Banana Island |
|
| St. John's Maroon Church |
| Old Wharf: Stone stairs
|
|
| St. Charles' Church Regent:
|
| The De Ruyter Stone:
|
|
