Zanzibar — LACK of culture of maintenance has placed House of wonders, and People's Palace Museum building at risk of collapse, the House was informed.
Mr Ismail Jussa Ladu (CUF- Mjimkongwe) led other House members to blame the government for not doing enough to conserve the House of Wonders (also known in Arabic as 'Beit-al- Ajaib), and the people's or Sultan's Palace (Beit el-Sahel in Arab).
"It is very sad that the historical houses risk collapse mainly because lack of frequent repairs including cleaning," said Ladu when debating the budget proposals for the ministry responsible for culture. The buildings in the stone town are the most visited by tourists.
In response to the concerns, the Minister for Information, Culture, Tourism, and Sports Mr Said Ali Mbarouk said lack of funds remain a major problem in conserving historical sites in the islands. He also said that the buildings, which are Icon of the Zanzibar history, are being affected by sea water humidity and sipping salty water.
However, the Minister revealed good news that Oman government would support improving the buildings. "We have been going on with feasibility study before a joint working task force is formed to the save and protect Beit-al-Ajaib) and the palace museum.
We need a thorough study before implementing the project," Mbarouk said. The House of Wonders is a landmark building in Stone Town, which occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old town's seafront, in Mizingani Road.
The palace was built in 1883 for Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar. It was intended as a ceremonial palace and official reception hall, celebrating modernity, and it was named "House of Wonders" because it was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity, and also the first building of East Africa to have an elevator.
The Palace Museum is also one of the main historical buildings of Stone Town. It is a 3-floor building with merlon- decorated white walls, located in Mizingani Road, on the seafront, between the House of Wonders and the Old Dispensary
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