We want to change the condition of our cemeteries says FCC Mayor
His Worship the Mayor of Freetown together with some senior staff of the council held an important meeting yesterday in his parlour with grave diggers, where he informed that he wants to change the condition of cemeteries in Freetown. (Photo: Mayor and senior staff addressing grave diggers)
Addressing the grave diggers, the Mayor recalled that he has been holding several meetings with them because the deplorable condition in cemeteries is going from bad to worse, combine with various problems.
Among the problems, the Mayor revealed that grave diggers are allowing illegal burial to go on in various cemeteries, and as a result one grave digger (name withheld) has been suspended because over 20 human skulls at Kissy Mess Mess cemeteries and he was informed by onlookers that they are assumed to be sold to some Indian people.
He warmed them that they should not bury any corpse without an authentic documentation or permit from City Council, as it is a serious crime to do illegal burial because government is recording death rates through the Council ,stressing that he will not like people to think that they are not able to take care of the cemeteries.
He also admonished them that death and birth registration office is where deceased persons should report and later come to the council to pay for burial permit for burial, the money is paid to treasure as its is government money. He also informed them that two of their workmate are in council detention because reports reached the council that they bury two women illegal with only Doctor’s permit.
The Mayor also informed them that the stipulated time for burial is from 12pm to 6pm, and warmed that they should not bury any corpse on or before that time unless they receive a document from council because some people prefer private and quiet burial.
On another issue His Worship the Mayor said other illegal activities are going on by grave diggers who are turning cemeteries into works as they are beating blocks and doing metal work and hosting a club called friends of the dead, which he said the council is frowning at. Very soon he said that the council will pay an unexpected visit to clear the cemeteries their responsibility is to keep the graves clean.
Very soon he revealed to them that very soon expert will join them for a few time to see how best they can work on changing the face of cemeteries.
Chief Administrator of FCC inspects Kingtom Cemetary which is now a dumping site
Making his own comment, the Chief Administrative of city council, John A. Conteh said that all of the cemeteries in the city has been turned into dumping site, access route for everybody, including a haven for armed robbers and pick pockets.
He also informed the grave diggers that cemeteries are places that should be kept clean and quiet place and not a place that should be misuse for multi-purpose illegal activities.
In an interview with Assistant Environmental Officer of Council, Sorie Alpha Kamara his department is responsible for monitoring and maintenance of graves.
From January to march 2014, he said that all grave owners should come to the council and register and pay for their graves so that when they will start development work they will not temper with identified graves, which he noted that the payment is a way of revenue generation to maintain the graves and pay workers.
By ZainabF.Kanu, Strategic Media and Development Communications Unit
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