Lagos seals ‘illegal’ cemetery site

The Lagos State Government has sealed off a proposed cemetery construction site located within a residential area in Bode Thomas.

The sealing of the site followed Saturday’ protest by residents of Natufe/Animashaun neighborhood who insisted that citing a cemetery in the place would pollute their water.

The residents, who defied the heavy rains on Saturda, alleged that a similar move by the developer, Olumide Amure, a few years ago was resisted, wondering why he suddenly resumed construction of a cemetery in their area in outright disregard to their well-being.

Reacting to reports of resumed construction works on the site, the Lagos Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso told The Nation that a cemetery would not be developed there.

He said: “The burial ground site is sealed and no such project will be developed there, thus the people need not worry.”

They took their protest to the construction site, a large expanse bordered by residential buildings, a school, a church and just a few meters away from the Traffic Light at Bode Thomas junction.

Chanting “no cemetery” and other slogans to register their displeasure, the protesters waved placards emphasising their disapproval of the proposed burial ground in the neighbourhood.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairperson, Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), Alhaja Omolabake Aminat Braimoh, said they were out to protest the construction of a cemetery in the neighbourhood.

“This man tried it over two years ago and we opposed it. Suddenly, we noticed he has started construction again and he is working day and night to achieve his purpose. So, we are out here again saying no because cemetery is not good here.

“We heard he wants to build an adult cemetery here and one for children about three blocks away. We do not want it. Look around you, this is a residential neighbourhood. We have children and elderly people here. We have schools, churches and estates here too.

“Locating a cemetery will pollute our land. We are not using pipe-borne water. Our source of water is borehole which cemetery will pollute.”

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Asked what steps have been taken by the CDA aside from the protest, she said letters had been written and sent to the Chairman, Coker-Aguda LCDA, adding that more letters would be sent to relevant agencies of government to stop the developer.

“We do not want to take laws into our hands and that is why we are following the due process.

“In the letter, we detailed our displeasure about the illegal construction of cemetery and reminded the chairman that we had objected same in the past.

“They commenced work here during the EID holiday and have completely disregarded the community’s disapproval.

“We urged the chairman to wade into the issue and order the developer to immediate stop work on the site until the intention and purpose of the construction is established,” she added.

Also speaking, a former CDA chairman, Olarenwaju Olaniyan, confirmed that the developer, tried the same thing during his tenure and was fought to a standstill.

“The developer knows me very well. The first time he started this, some years ago, we fought it from the local government to the state level. We have all the documents with us. He was stopped by the government.

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“But I heard now that he has permission. I am not speaking about that permission because I trust that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will never give such a permission.

“The developer should know the consequences of his actions and desist from such a wicked act.

“We will not allow him to pollute our land. We won’t allow him to kill us all because what he is trying to do is bring an epidemic for those of us living here.

“We do not have good water here. We are surviving on boreholes and the moment you start burying people here, you will pollute our ground and water. You will kill us all. We won’t allow that.

“We have stayed here for over 50 years. We have people who are 80 years and above among us. When do you want to kill us? Did we offend you?”

According to him, 11 petitions were sent to relevant agencies and offices the first time he came up with his cemetery plans, adding that the community would do the same this time around.

The Councilor representing Natufe/Animashaun Ward at the Local Government said they were not aware of any approval to the developer to site a cemetery there.

He said he received a complaint from the CDA that the developer was building a burial ground in a residential area.

“A cemetery is not suitable in such a place. They have complained that they don’t want it and as their representative at the local government, I will take their complaint forward to the relevant authorities,” he said.

Contacted for reaction on Saturday, the developer told our reporter that he would revert, pleading for time to provide a detailed response.

He asked when the reporter intended to go to press and was told his reaction was needed and that the story would stand down till Sunday afternoon to await his comments

However, at the time of filing this report, Amure was yet to send his response and a reminder message to his phone number was not replied to.